There seems to be some confusion at an assisted living facility in Fort Myers, after residents received notices on Monday that they have until December 2 to move out. Earlier this month, the Agency for Health Care Administration informed Regal Senior Care - which operated Hidden Oaks Assisted Living until a few months ago - that its license would not be renewed. Regal no longer operates Hidden Oaks. But ACHA citied a number of deficiencies found during inspections over the past year - such as cracked paint, dirty walls and not enough food heaters in the food preparation area.
"A request for a stay has been submitted," said Scott Hopes, CEO of Healthcare Management Decisions, Inc., which represents Hidden Oaks' current management, Eveningtide.
Hopes said the new company is fixing the problems at the facility, from which a number of residents have reportedly already moved out. He said that Eveningtide has applied for a new license with ACHA within the past couple of days.
"Unfortunately, it just wasn't filed in time to have it in place before the agency issued their final order to not renew Regal's license," Hopes said.
He said that the licensing situation, while unfortunate, may mean that residents needing specialized care - who were just told days ago that they had to move - might be able to stay.
"And any residents wishing to return will be able to return," Hopes said.
Fox 4 reached out to ACHA on Friday to confirm that the new license application had been filed by the management company, but their offices were closed in observance of Veterans Day.
