Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: June 24, 2005
Contact : Robert Marshall, PhD 222-1017

RI Health Department Orders Beechwood Assisted Living Residence Closed
License for Facility and Administrator Suspended

Today the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) suspended the license of Beechwood Senior Living, an assisted living residence located at 200 Central Street in Central Falls, RI. The order stipulates the closing as of 5:00 pm on Saturday, June 25, 2005. In addition, HEALTH moved to revoke the license of Mr. Gregory Andrade, as Assisted Living Residence Administrator, and referred the case to the RI Attorney General.

“We took this action because we are all concerned about the health and safety of individuals still living at the residence,” said David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of the RI Department of Health. “Our recent investigations and follow-up visits indicate a number of serious problems—many of which have not been resolved. This includes safety violations and circumstances in which the management is taking advantage of vulnerable people. We have been working together with the Ombudsman, all week long, to help place residents wishing to move into other residences. That work should be completed by tomorrow, and the residence will close.”

On June 15, 2005 Governor Carcieri announced a review by the Office of Health and Human Services, of the regulations and oversight of assisted living facilities throughout Rhode Island. Following the past year’s work on nursing home issues, the Governor indicated that the review of assisted living is a logical next step toward assuring the health and safety of all residents of health care facilities.