The Rowley Masonic Community in Perry has come under fire recently for wide-ranging allegations that have led it to be placed on the Special Focus Facilities list through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The list serves to identify elder care homes that have numerous serious violations in resident care. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has also placed Rowley on a conditional license as the troubles are investigated. DHS reports that the facility has been struggling financially for several years, which has led to cutbacks in staffing. The current allegations are directly related to those issues, including insufficient and under trained staff, lack of proper medical supplies, and poor response time to residents requesting help. The financial troubles have been exacerbated by fines issued by the Department of Inspection and Appeals, due to the violations discovered during visits to the home. However, the DIA has suspended the fines for the time being.

Additional more serious claims have also been raised, including alleged sexual assault by one resident against another, and a resident dying because the medical equipment needed to properly treat them wasn’t on hand. Rowley’s Executive Director Greg Greenwood released a public statement, saying they were aware of the issues outlined in the reports, and are working closely with state officials to address them. He said they have submitted a plan of correction to the DIA and CMS, which has been accepted. However, Greenwood emphasized it will take time to remedy the problems. The Rowley Masonic Community is run by Health Dimensions Group of Minnesota, and is owned by the Herman L. Rowley Memorial Trust.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.