News Release 

For Immediate Release: November 27, 2024

Media Contact: Niala Charles

Mobile: 480-318-6337

Email: [email protected]

 

Avanti Senior Living Update

PEORIA- The Arizona Department of Health Services is pleased to report that the facility known as Avanti Senior Living has been placed under a new ownership group and is now licensed as Spring Gardens Peoria, an Avista Senior Living Community. As of 11/26/24, a provisional license has been issued to Arizona assisted living provider Avista Senior Living Community, which will now ensure that the facility’s residents receive the care they need in a qualified, licensed environment. 

The residents and families of this facility have the ability to remain in their current living environment if they so choose. Avista Senior Living Community will be coordinating with residents immediately on what to expect during this transition. The Department is appreciative of the efforts of staff and partners to solve the unfortunate situation with Avanti and will continue to work with Avista Senior Living as they assume daily operations and care.

We strive to ensure that ADHS Licensees receive the support they need to provide high-quality services. As of Tuesday, 11/26/24, Avista Senior Living Community assumed ownership of the Peoria facility. We will be closely monitoring the progress to ensure a smooth transition of services and continuity of care. We encourage residents and family members to share any concerns about care quality during this transition at avistaseniorliving.com.

More Background:

ADHS’s mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health and wellbeing of all Arizonans. As part of that mission, ADHS licenses, regulates, and provides assistance to healthcare facilities so they can maintain a high standard of care for Arizona residents. In the event that our efforts to provide coaching and corrective action to licensees are not heeded, we must occasionally take the unfortunate step of revoking a healthcare institution’s license. 

Late last week we were alerted that a senior living facility in Peoria, Avanti Senior Living, instructed residents to secure alternative living arrangements. The guidance did not provide an explicit timeline and misled residents about when the facility’s license was revoked as well as the reason behind the revocation. Despite having over a year to prepare residents for the possibility of the facility’s closure, it appears Avanti denied the reality and severity of the situation and is attempting to pass this off as a mere paperwork error. 

ADHS notified Avanti over a year ago that the facility’s unresolved pattern of negligent practices had risen to an unacceptable level, and that to preserve the wellbeing of their residents we would be moving to revoke their license. Throughout the process, the Department was willing to negotiate a settlement agreement to avoid revocation, but Avanti chose to fight the Department’s decision through the judicial process. Two courts subsequently upheld ADHS’ decision to revoke Avanti’s license, and an Administrative Law Judge went so far as to say that the facility’s behavior “demonstrated a blatant disregard for rules, procedures, and law.” 

Timeline of Events: 

Resident health and safety are our top priority. ADHS exhausted all options to bring Avanti Senior Living into substantial compliance and avoid licensure revocation. The facility has a multi-year history of regulatory violations including repeated deficiencies that posed a direct risk to the health and safety of residents. A detailed history of citations and enforcement history can be viewed here.

  • August 14, 2023 – ADHS provided Avanti with a Notice of Intent to Revoke their license. Avanti had several opportunities to negotiate a settlement agreement with ADHS. 
  • May 28, 2024 – An Administrative Law Judge affirmed ADHS’ decision to revoke Avanti’s license. Avanti appealed this decision. 
  • November 4, 2024 (Court entered the Order on November 6, 2024) – A Superior Court denied a motion to stay the revocation, effectively terminating Avanti’s license.  The ALJ decision documentation can be found under the November 6th Notice of Intent to Revoke enforcement action.

 

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About Us: The Arizona Department of Health Services is committed to the health and well-being of every Arizonan. We provide reliable health information, support critical health services, and promote wellness throughout our state. Whether it’s managing health crises, offering vital resources, or driving community health initiatives, ADHS is here to ensure a healthier and safer Arizona for all