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Bugs, filth, hazards plague nearly half of NJ boarding homes

The boarding homes singled out by inspectors, many in cities, showed a pattern of grim conditions posing safety and health risks, state Department of Community Affairs records show.

Many of the 2,800 people in the 125 "class c" boarding homes suffer from illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression. Some are former psychiatric patients and others have a history of drug abuse. Some homes only house seniors and people with dementia. While not nursing homes, these boarding homes provide an element of medical supervision.

The records show a handful passed annual inspections with flying colors, and many were cited for routine home-improvement issues: paint the ceiling, fix a banister, replace a broken mirror, clean a toilet.

But other recurring violations highlight basic sanitary and safety issues:

• More than a dozen had a bed-bug problem. Four were plagued by infestations of flies, including one in Trenton also cited for a mouse infestation. Mice also moved into the pantry of a home in Camden. A bedbug infestation at an Ocean Grove home began in January 2008 and wasn’t eliminated until this May.

• Housekeeping and sanitation is a consistent problem, records show. At least 14 homes were cited for not providing fresh linens often enough or having dirty bedding on residents’ beds, and 14 were ordered to deal with the "noxious odors" or urine smell in bedrooms and bathrooms. At a Plainfield home, inspectors found 14 of 54 residents had dirty bed sheets, or none at all.

• At least 10 homes were cited for having food beyond its expiration date, and others for improperly storing it. At a boarding home in Newark, owners were ordered to remove spoiled and undated food from the refrigerator, keep dogs out of the kitchen, and clean a puddle of dog urine on the kitchen floor.

• At least 25 homes were cited for safety issues, such as no carbon monoxide detectors, chirping or broken fire detectors, or no records of fire drills. At a Red Bank home, residents told inspectors there hadn’t been a fire drill in more than a year. Fire safety is a sensitive issue for the boarding home industry — in the early 1980s, more than 60 died in boarding home fires in Point Pleasant, Keansburg and Bradley Beach.

• At least 25 homes were cited for medicine-related violations, such as lacking records of drugs administered, signing off on wrong dosages or leaving medicine in common areas or residents’ rooms, where anyone could have access to it. Staff members are licensed to make sure residents take medication and that it is secured.

Animal lovers help reunite family with dog - The Sarnia Observer ...

Charlotte Berencsi has been reunited with her "Boo Boo" following an outpouring of kindness from local animal lovers.

"It kind of restored my faith in people a little bit," she said.

The 24-year-old Sarnia single mom wrote a letter that appeared in The Observer this week describing how her 10-year-old adopted beagle Buddy had escaped while she was cleaning.

Animal control brought the microchipped dog to the Sarnia and District Humane Society on July 28 and, after speaking to the Front Street shelter, Berencsi found she wasn't able to pay the $165 licence and boarding fees.

That prompted the letter to the editor, expressing her frustration.

Shortly after the letter appeared, offers of assistance began rolling in, including one from Newfoundland.

On Friday, one Sarnia woman who has asked to remain anonymous, paid the bills for Buddy's release.

"It was incredible because, to be honest, I never thought I was actually going to see him again," Berencsi said.

She'd adopted Buddy six months ago from a couple that could no longer care for him, and assumed he had a licence.

Buddy reminders her of a dog she had growing up.

"He just automatically became a member of the family," she said.

At the shelter, the portly beagle excitedly waddled up to Berencsi, receiving hugs from the thankful woman and her two-year-old son Corban, who arrived with a stuffed plush dog, also named Buddy.

"Charlotte has a big heart," said the anonymous Good Samaritan who reunited the family. "She took two old dogs into her care because the owners no longer wanted them. She was worried they would end up at the shelter.

"I'm hopeful she now feels better about the shelter's role in the community."

Berencsi said she's planning to give her second dog, Gabby, a four-year-old pug-shitzu, to a 67-year-old friend for companionship.

That will allow more space for Buddy, she said.

"Now he gets to come home and be spoiled all over again."

In a written statement, the shelter said it's important dog owners have a current city dog licence so that errant pets can be returned home quickly and with little expense.

"Many generous people have come forward to help pay the fees so that Buddy can go home," the statement reads. "We are continually amazed by the kindness of people in our community."

Berencsi said she's thankful for all the offers of support.

Indianapolis Monthly

Indianapolis Monthly

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Orange Coast Magazine

Orange Coast Magazine