OXFORD, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services is investigating a nursing home in Oxford, located in Sumner County, Kansas, after complaints that there was inadequate air conditioning.
Hinkle’s grandmother, Peggy, passed away in 2018.
KSN also spoke with someone who works at the facility. They didn’t want to go on camera, but told KSN this is an issue residents and staff are still dealing with.
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Hinkle believes the central air system, which she said was broken six years ago, has not been fixed and that residents and workers are still dealing with it today.
“Eighty-eight, 82, it’s hot, very hot, very hot. Residents have complained, staff have complained,” Hinkle said.
KDADS said nursing facilities in Kansas must maintain a year-round air conditioning system and must maintain temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees.
Workers shared these images with KSN, an employee record sheet, showing several rooms above that standard at two separate checks in June of this year:
Photos shared of a thermostat indicated temperatures of 81, within the state requirement:
KSN contacted the house supervisor, who declined an interview and said they had no comment at the time.
Additionally, KSN contacted KDADS, who said, “We are aware of it, yes,” but did not elaborate on the investigation.
Hinkle believes they have yet to adequately address the issue.
“They were going to fix the air conditioning and that’s all they say, nothing ever happens,” he said.
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Hinkle is concerned not only for the residents who live there, but also for the employees who work there.
“I can only imagine what it feels like to work in the kitchen, cooking food. “I just don’t want something to happen like it did to us, with my family,” she said.
KDADS did not give a timeline for its investigation.
An employee said some air conditioning units have been added, but many rooms are still above the state requirement of 85 degrees.
Hinkle hopes people will check on their elderly relatives in this heat, no matter where they are, to make sure they are okay.
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