Staff walks out of senior care center

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004 | 11:15 a.m.

Residents of a retirement home in southwest Las Vegas said today they were not surprised when the staff walked out last night because they have long been left in the dark about the operations of the facility.

About 30 residents, some in their 90s and in wheelchairs, found themselves on their own briefly Tuesday night at Bel Aire West Senior Resort at 8630 W. Nevso Drive off of South Durango Drive, which is not a medical facility nor an assisted living center.

"A big problem here is that we have not known what has been going on," said resident Abe Falk, a retired purchasing director for a shoe manufacturer who is in his mid-80s.

Volunteers from other assisted living centers arrived today to find the main elevator to the two-story 162-room structure malfunctioning, making it more difficult for second-floor residents to get down.

Falk and another resident, who declined to give her name, said they have to pay rent at the end of the week and not knowing the status has left them wondering where they will be living.

Residents say they make their checks out to a company called J&S Development in Florida. They said they pay $1,695 to $2,100 a month, not including medical care costs. But one woman resident said she has been told by staff that the building is in escrow and that she believes a past owner, Ken Richardson, still foots the bill.

Richardson could not be located for comment this morning.

Why about 10 employees, including maids and cooks, walked out is still a point of conjecture, but there was speculation at the center that they either were had not been completely paid or hadn't been getting paid on time. Five employees apparently are still reporting to work, Helene Trapt, a front-desk receptionist, said.

Area assisted living center owners and personnel were on the scene late Tuesday to try to help the Bel Aire West residents.

State licensing officials were also at the facility early today. They were not immediately available for comment.

Bee Liles, a licensed practical nurse with Harmon Medical and Rehabilitation came to Bel Aire today on her day off to help the residents.

She said the facility appeared to be clean and the residents appeared to be taken care of. She was, however, critical about what had happened.

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