Failure to Provide Dignified Grooming for Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and a history of type 2 diabetes and muscle weakness was observed to have long gray facial hairs on her chin. The resident reported that facial hair grooming was performed regularly at her previous group home, but since admission to the facility, this grooming had not occurred. Despite expressing her desire to have her facial hair shaved, the grooming was not provided. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the facility's standard practice is to offer shaving or plucking of facial hair on shower days or upon resident request. However, the resident stated that even after a recent shower, her facial hair was not addressed as expected. Review of the resident's care records showed that her bathing schedule was documented, but the shower sheets only indicated whether skin checks were performed and did not include a section for grooming tasks. The facility's written expectations require staff to attend to facial hair for both men and women during each shower, and to inform the nurse if a resident refuses grooming. In this case, the lack of documentation and follow-through resulted in the resident's grooming needs not being met, impacting her dignity and personal preferences.