The man, identified as R1 in inspection records, described his situation during a December 30 interview at Loft Rehab & Nursing of Normal. He said the hot water hadn't worked for months on his entire wing, called "uptown hall," while the other half of the facility maintained functioning hot water.
Federal inspectors found the facility failed to provide adequate bathing for three of five residents they reviewed for activities of daily living. The violations occurred despite facility policy requiring residents receive necessary services to maintain personal hygiene.
R1's medical record shows he was admitted with acute osteomyelitis of his right ankle and foot, weakness, chronic atrial fibrillation, and stage four chronic kidney disease. His care plan documents deficits in activities of daily living that began in April 2025.
Another resident, R3, told inspectors she doesn't receive the required two showers weekly. R3, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation and diabetes with neuropathy, said her showers are only "warm to touch." Her care plan identifies self-care performance deficits related to fatigue, impaired balance and limited mobility dating to February 2024.
A third resident, R6, communicated through writing on a dry erase board that the facility had experienced lack of hot water on her hall for over a month. R6, recovering from fractures to her upper and lower left fibula, wrote that staff take her to another part of the facility where hot water is available. She communicated that she doesn't feel she gets enough showers.
The Corporate Nurse, identified as V16, admitted to inspectors on January 2 that not all residents were receiving their required two weekly showers. When asked for documentation showing when residents had received baths, V16 stated she was unable to provide correct records of bathing dates.
The facility's Activities of Daily Living policy, dated February 10, 2025, explicitly states that residents unable to carry out daily living activities "will receive the necessary services to maintain good nutrition, grooming, and personal hygiene and oral hygiene."
The policy also requires the facility to ensure residents' abilities in daily living activities don't deteriorate "unless deterioration is unavoidable," based on comprehensive assessments and consistent with residents' needs and choices.
R1's situation illustrates the daily impact of the facility's failures. Despite being cognitively intact and able to articulate his needs, he described receiving only lukewarm water for his single bed bath in two weeks. His complex medical conditions, including stage four chronic kidney disease and an active bone infection, make proper hygiene particularly critical.
R6's communication through written notes suggests residents understood the systemic nature of the hot water problem. Her description of being transported to functioning areas of the facility for bathing indicates staff were aware of workarounds but failed to ensure consistent care.
The inspection occurred following a complaint, suggesting the bathing deficiencies may have prompted external concerns about resident care. Federal inspectors classified the violations as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm to residents.
The facility operates two distinct areas with different hot water availability, creating an uneven standard of care based on room assignment rather than resident need. While some residents accessed functioning showers in the "downtown" section, those housed in the "uptown hall" went without proper bathing for extended periods.
R3's moderate cognitive impairment, documented in her Minimum Data Set assessment, may have limited her ability to advocate for adequate care or fully understand the extent of the hygiene deficiencies she experienced.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Loft Rehab & Nursing of Normal from 2026-01-02 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.