Failure to Assist Resident with Voting Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to uphold the resident's right to vote, as evidenced by the case of a resident who expressed a desire to vote but was not assisted by the facility. The facility's policy on resident rights, dated 10/1/24, guarantees residents the right to exercise their rights, including voting. However, the clinical record of a resident admitted on 5/15/24 indicated that the resident expressed a desire to vote on 11/1/24 and again on 11/4/24. Despite this, a progress note from 11/4/24 revealed that a staff member told the resident that their vote would not count and that the facility does not handle voting matters. Interviews with the Activity Director and the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the facility did not assist the resident with voting and failed to ask all residents if they wanted to vote during the past election in November. The facility could not provide documentation showing that residents were asked about voting, leading to a deficiency in honoring resident rights.
Plan Of Correction
1. Resident R1 was provided an opportunity to vote prior to election, and in serviced on the requirement to change their address to the facility address to ensure a mail in ballot was received timely. Resident R1 was provided necessary contacts to change their address and failed to change their address timely to receive a mail in ballot - activities department assisted but not assist to completion. 2. The Director of activities / assistant audited and documented all resident's preference to vote, or not with education on the importance of, their right to, and if they change their mind, to ensure their preference is identified. 3. The Administrator re in serviced the Activities Department and Social Services Department on the regulation to ensure residents are aware of their ability to and right to vote are maintained. 4. On the next upcoming available election, the director of activities or designee will audit all residents to ensure all residents are afforded the opportunity to vote and be assisted with voting to completion. Audit will be shared with QAPI committee to ensure continued compliance.