Abuse And Degrading Treatment Documented At Top-Rated Alexandria Senior Living Facility

ALEXANDRIA, VA – State inspection records show that staff at an Alexandria senior living facility were caught on camera striking and yelling at a resident and allowing another resident to be returned to bed via a machine, without enough staff present.

According to records with the Virginia Department of Social Services, family members of a resident at the Benchmark at Alexandria senior living facility alleged to the state licensing department in early August that an in-room camera at the location showed a member of staff striking the resident.

Social Services Says It Has Documentation Of Multiple Instances Of Abuse

The licensing department also said it received three videos of further violations. In one, according to Aug. 20 inspection results, the resident can be heard saying, “Please help me,” to a staff member who doesn’t respond immediately. Another member of staff forcefully repositions the resident on the bed, yells at the resident, “Stop that,” places their hand in front of the resident’s mouth, and leaves the patient on the bed with their “private area” exposed while leaving the room to go get additional staff.

In another video, inspection documents show the resident lying in bed with four staff members standing at the bedside. A staff member can be heard saying, “Every time someone touches you, you start yelling.” The resident says a member of staff slapped them in the face.

In a third video, the resident lies in bed after using a mechanical lift to get in alone. The resident says, “It hurts really bad,” to three members of staff. One staff member is seen touching the resident on the side of their face and mouth, saying, “Keep quiet, keep quiet, please.”

According to state records, a member of staff confirmed the actions seen on the video and confirmed that the resident “was not free from mental, emotional, and physical exploitation; free from degrading or demeaning acts against them; and they were not treated with courtesy, respect, and consideration as a person of worth, sensitivity, and dignity,” all of which are specified as responsibilities for such facilities by Virginia social services.

Staff Changes And Retraining Implemented, Other Agencies Notified

According to state documents, after the allegations were raised, officials immediately removed two members from resident-facing duties and ultimately fired them following an investigation. The resident was assessed and their family was notified.

In addition, “Adult Protective Services and, where applicable, local law enforcement were notified in accordance with the community's abuse-reporting policy.”

The facility also reviewed the care of other residents previously attended by the fired staff members and implemented facility-wide retraining.

To follow up, the facility’s executive director and resident care director were instructed to review all incident reports, family or resident grievances, and documentation weekly for 90 days, then monthly thereafter, and were to review the findings at quarterly meetings. That process is ongoing.

During the same inspection, staff allowed a different resident to be returned to bed via mechanical lift without a second staff member present. That resident's treatment plan required two staff members to be on hand when using the lift.

The Benchmark at Alexandria opened in 2024. It offers assisted living and memory care and promises round-the-clock, personalized care for residents. Its website lists five available floor plans, with the cheapest, an assisted living studio, starting at more than $4,800 a month.

In April, the facility was rated among the best in Virginia and in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The Benchmark at Alexandria is located at 3440 Berkeley St.