MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A new follow-up audit indicates the state of Vermont is doing a better job at oversight of long-term care facilities housing vulnerable Vermonters.
An initial report last year by Vermont Auditor Doug Hoffer showed shortcomings by the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living on annual inspections and issues addressing safety violations, among other problems. For example, the audit found DAIL was doing inspections at residential care homes and assisted living facilities once every two years instead of every year and was not following up in a timely manner.
But in a follow-up audit released on Monday, Hoffer said many of those standards are being upheld now, including inspections and improved communication.
“While DAIL has more work to do, I am very pleased that they’ve made positive strides. I’m especially glad that they are now performing annual site inspections. Those are key to staying on top of the condition of facilities, and to making sure that safety issues don’t go undetected for long periods of time,” Hoffer said in a statement.
One of those issues that has not been addressed, Hoffer said, is posting records of enforcement actions on their website.
