Failure to Provide Required Assistance with Eating and Activities of Daily Living
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living, specifically with eating, for three residents who were assessed as needing such support. One male resident with multiple diagnoses including dementia, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment was observed eating alone in his room without staff supervision or assistance. He was unable to locate a food item on his tray due to his blindness until verbally guided by the surveyor. Documentation showed that he often ate independently or with only setup or cleanup assistance, despite care plans indicating he required supervision while eating. A female resident with a history of partial paralysis following a stroke, dysphagia, and significant recent weight loss was observed with her meal barely touched and no staff present to assist her. Food particles were noted in her hair, on her gown, and on her bed. Staff interviews confirmed that she would eat if fed, and her care plan and physician orders required one-on-one feeding assistance due to her nutritional risk. However, records indicated she mostly received only setup or cleanup help during meals. Another female resident with dementia, partial paralysis, and a history of failure to thrive was observed struggling to eat independently, with trembling hands and difficulty grasping food items. She was left alone with her meal, which was barely touched, and stated she sometimes received help but not consistently. Her care plan required supervision and cueing during meals, but documentation showed she often ate independently or with minimal assistance. Staff confirmed that supervision and encouragement were needed, but these were not consistently provided.