Almost Like Home, an assisted living center in Arvada, Colorado, has recently come under investigation by the Arvada Police and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for an alleged neglect case involving a 78-year-old woman named Julia Gutierrez. Gutierrez's family claims that neglect at the facility led to her being on hospice and ultimately passing away. According to her family, Gutierrez was a resident at Almost Like Home for two years due to her dementia, but was in good health prior to the pandemic.
The family alleges that the facility neglected to properly hydrate Gutierrez, which led to an untreated urinary tract infection and a septic infection from a bedsore that was not properly treated. Despite their efforts to monitor Gutierrez's care, the family was unable to visit her for months due to pandemic restrictions, leading to a concerning decline in her health. Medical records show instances where Gutierrez was not given water or food on multiple days, raising red flags about the level of care she was receiving at Almost Like Home.
State health records indicate that Almost Like Home has been cited multiple times in 2020, with past neglect claims involving medication errors and failures to administer medications to residents. The owner of the facility has defended the care provided, stating that any neglect claims are unfounded. However, the family of Julia Gutierrez is calling for accountability and consequences for the alleged neglect that led to her decline and eventual passing.
As the investigation into Almost Like Home continues, Gutierrez's family hopes that their tragic experience will serve as a reminder for others to closely monitor the care their loved ones receive in assisted living facilities, especially during times of limited visitation like the current pandemic. The family stresses the importance of asking questions, holding facilities accountable, and advocating for the well-being of residents in assisted living centers to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.