Failure to Provide Dignified Care and Respect Resident Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were treated in a dignified manner by not providing timely toileting assistance and by not respecting residents' rights to a home-like environment. One resident, who was morbidly obese, had reduced mobility, and was dependent on staff for toileting hygiene, was repeatedly made to wait for bathroom assistance. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) assigned to her hall, particularly one CNA, were reported to have spoken harshly to her, told her to wait until after meal service or until the next shift, and made dismissive comments about her age and emotional responses. Multiple staff and the resident's sister confirmed that the resident was left waiting, sometimes resulting in incontinence, and that the CNA in question was resistant to using the mechanical lift required for the resident's safe transfer. The resident expressed feeling mistreated and was moved to another hall as a result of these interactions. Another resident, diagnosed with depression and anxiety and cognitively intact, reported feeling nervous and a little depressed due to a CNA's comments about her personal belongings taking up too much space in her room. The resident was reluctant to discuss the issue but indicated that the CNA's tone and remarks negatively affected her emotional well-being. Staff interviews corroborated that the CNA had a pattern of speaking harshly to residents and that such interactions occurred in public areas, further impacting residents' dignity. The facility's own policy emphasizes the importance of accommodating resident needs and preferences to maintain dignity and a home-like environment, including the right to retain personal possessions and receive timely assistance. However, observations, interviews, and record reviews demonstrated that these standards were not upheld for at least two residents, resulting in emotional distress and a lack of respect for their rights.