Guest House of Warren Closing, Re-locating 17 Elderly Residents.
June 8th, 2020 by Joe Burgess
Residents of Guest House of Warren received notification (most on Monday of this week), telling them that they must vacate the premises, by Friday (today).
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The following information was obtained from DHS.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services found out that the Guest House at Warren facility had filed
for bankruptcy in December, when DHS did a routine review when the facility’s license came up for renewal at the end of April or early May 2020.
At that time, the facility owner indicated to DHS that it had a potential buyer for the property, but DHS was never provided a change of ownership application for licensure from the prospective buyer.
Starting May 11 (and again on May 12, 13, 14, 20 and 21), DHS requested how the facility would ensure residents would get the care the facility is licensed to provide. In addition, the facility notified DHS via email on May 14 that the facility was “at dead end for funds” in terms of funding to run the facility. Ms. Forrest with the facility also acknowledged to DHS that the facility would not be able to pay employees or procure services as of May 29.
The prospective buyer indicated that they may not have a deal finalized until later in June, to secure finances for the facility. DHS conducted special monitoring visits during this time as well. During those visits, surveyors did offer to assist in finding placements for residents.
On May 22, DHS notified the facility in writing that an emergency existed and the facility should immediately appropriately transfer residents in a safe and orderly manner.
On May 29, after the facility failed to take action, DHS terminated the facilities license in order to protect the health and safety of the residents. At the time, there were about 17 or 18 residents at the facility. The facility should have been the one to notify families, and it’s my Dept.’s understanding the facility did not begin notifications until May 28.
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Guest House was home to approximately 17 senior citizens, in recent months. As of noon, June 5, there were two residents awaiting relocation.
The family who operated the facility, began its operation in 2008. It had a facility in Monticello for several years, also, before the two were combined into the Warren unit.
For transparency, it should be stated that the author of this article had a family member in the facility in 2008, and another family member there at the time of its closing.
A note to the community from Mrs. Forrest, after closing the business her family operated for 12+ years.
