HOUSTON – Many Houston families are frustrated and looking for answers after their loved ones were forced to look for a new place to live.
The Montebello Wellness Center on Wood Bayou Drive on the city’s east side is closing its doors, and residents said they were told about it on Monday.
The Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the facility failed to meet the government's basic health and safety standards. An investigation revealed the nursing home was cited for problems involving several patients who fell and were injured.
The center was also cited for giving inadequate care to a patient with blood pressure problems.
“I got a phone call Monday night saying they had to hurry, they (had) a week to get everybody out,” said one man who asked not be identified.
That man's mom is a Montebello resident.
“I feel for some of these families, because there are people in there and I don’t know where they’re going to go,” he said.
Many of the residents’ families are hurrying to find new places for their loved ones. Meanwhile, they have a lot of unanswered questions about why Montebello is being shut down.
KPRC2 News has learned that following an investigation by the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, residents of the senior care center were told they had to move.
Not only are the residents forced to find new places to live, but the employees are now looking for new jobs as well.
According to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, the facility can house up to 142 residents.
The inspections report section of the DADS website said, “During inspections conducted for the sole purpose of investigating complaints and incidents in the last six months, Montebello had eight deficiencies cited regarding federal standards.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Montebello said, “The staff and employees of Montebello are fully committed to the delivery of quality care to the residents they have the privilege to serve. Any resident transfer is accomplished with the resident’s safety, health and well-being as the priority. At present, Montebello is focused on taking care of the residents and their families, and we appreciate your courtesy as they do so.”
“They should have given these people at least 30 days to find good care for their family, not a week notice and get out,” said one resident’s son.