1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am writing to alert you to urgent systemic failures at The Waters of Wakarusa nursing home in Wakarusa, Indiana, owned by Infinity Healthcare Consulting, headquartered in Hillside, Illinois and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Residents face unsafe conditions due to chronic understaffing, while employees endure a hostile and retaliatory work environment. Despite repeated complaints to corporate leadership and state agencies, these issues persist. Serious concerns have been raised regarding Infinity's ties to Strawberry Fields REIT, a South Bend-based investment firm. Both entities are owned in part by the same individual, creating a potential conflict of interest and raising questions about financial misconduct. Strawberry Fields collects rent from facilities managed by Infinity Healthcare, raising suspicions about whether Medicaid funds are being used for profit rather than patient care. 1. Severe Understaffing: Documented evidence shows the facility operates with as few as one aide and two nurses for over 100 residents at times. Individual pods often have only one nurse and one aide for up to 24 residents. This neglect leads to residents lacking essential care, including hygiene, mobility assistance, and medication management. 2. Hostile Work Environment: Employees report discriminatory comments, public reprimands, and verbal abuse. The administrator has allegedly threatened the Director of Nursing and others with termination for raising concerns. Many employees are afraid to speak out due to retaliation. 3. Broken Promises: Staff were promised bonuses for extra shifts but later denied payment due to "lack of corporate approval,". 4. Unsafe Resident Practices: Reports reveal residents helping other residents with transfers and asking non employees for help with activities of daily living, a dangerous situation resulting from understaffing and inadequate care. These issues highlight systemic problems in the long-term care industry that require immediate attention. Vulnerable residents are denied the dignity and safety they deserve, while employees are subjected to unethical and unlawful treatment. Requested Actions: 1. Demand a thorough investigation by OSHA, CMS, and other federal authorities into potential violations of health, safety, and labor laws at The Waters of Wakarusa and other facilities managed by Infinity Healthcare. 2. Strengthen oversight by supporting legislation to enforce stricter standards of care, staffing ratios, and employee protections in all nursing homes. 3. Protect whistleblowers through stronger state laws safeguarding employees who report unsafe or unethical practices. Indiana’s elderly and vulnerable residents deserve better. The systemic failures at The Waters of Wakarusa are emblematic of broader issues in the nursing home industry, and with your leadership, we can protect those most in need.