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Nursing home where woman wandered off, later died, scolded by state

Morning Call - 10/7/2017

Oct. 07--The state has pulled the operating license of a Lehigh County nursing home over several violations, including at least one involving the care of a 77-year-old Alzheimer's patient who wandered away from the home in August and later died.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services issued its decision Friday against Woodland Terrace at Oaks Senior Living Community. Spokeswoman Kait Gillis said the Salisbury Township facility was previously on a provisional license issued May 9 that was set to expire next month.

"In light of the recent events and inspections, the department moved to revoke the license," Gillis said via email. "The safety and well-being of the people we serve are the priority of the Department of Human Services."

The home made news after a resident, Audrey Penn, wandered away Aug. 23 from the facility. Despite an extensive search by police, family and others, the 77-year-old woman's body was not found until nearly a month later, Sept. 17, in a ditch at Hamilton Boulevard and Kressler Road in Lower Macungie Township, about two miles from the nursing home.

A letter dated Friday from Human Services Director Jacqueline L. Rowe to S. David Selznick, vice president of Woodland Terrace, said the state conducted licensing inspections three times in August, one nearly two weeks before Penn's disappearance, and again on Aug. 25 and 30.

Human Services, which regulates personal care homes, said inspectors learned Penn's disappearance was not reported by an employee who first realized Penn was missing to a supervisor until 7:30 a.m.Aug. 23, 90 minutes after the woman was first discovered missing.

The report notes Penn was a victim of neglect because of the lack of prompt notification. In addition, the state said the nursing home failed to address Penn's "exit seeking behavior" after she was able to leave its secure dementia care unit during another incident in May.

"The Department's decision to revoke your license is based on your failure to comply with the Department's regulation and gross incompetence, negligence and misconduct in operating the facility ..." Rowe wrote.

An attorney representing Penn's family, Robert L. Sachs, said Woodland Terrace officials told the family they searched the area first for about three hours before notifying police. The family described Penn's disappearance and tragic death as "utterly incomprehensible," according to Sachs.

In an email, Woodland Terrace spokeswoman Laura Bishop acknowledged receipt of the state's letter and the state's plan to revoke the home's license, but she did not address any specifics of the letter. Instead, she said management would continue to work with the state during the appeal process to be able to maintain its health care license and provide services for its residents.

The facility can appeal the state's decision within 10 days and can operate pending the outcome of the appeal. If the license revocation were to stand, Gillis said the state would work with residents and families to find suitable care facilities.

"We work with the residents and family members to make sure there is placement for them," she said.

Other violations listed in the state report appear to cover less serious infractions, such as failure to prominently post the home's license issued by the state.

Days after Penn's disappearance, Woodland Terrace issued a statement saying its officials were reviewing safety measures and testing its security systems. During the search for Penn, Woodbine Senior Living LLC, the corporate owner of Woodland Terrace, offered a $10,000 reward for the woman's safe return.

Penn, who worked as a nurse at the former Allentown State Hospital, had been at the facility since February.

Woodland Terrace, which is at 1263 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., is licensed to hold up to 110 residents, according to the state.

asalamone@mcall.com

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