Failure to Provide Activities Meeting Resident Needs and Interests
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide activities that met the interests and needs of its residents, as evidenced by a lack of scheduled activities after 4:00 P.M. and on weekends, with only handouts being distributed during these times. Multiple residents, including those with intact cognition and diagnoses such as anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, and chronic medical conditions, expressed that attending activities was very important to them. Resident Council meeting minutes and interviews with residents and staff consistently documented ongoing complaints about the lack of activities, especially those occurring outside the facility, such as shopping or going to the movies, and the absence of a transportation bus for several years. Observations on various units revealed that residents were often left sitting in common areas with minimal engagement, such as a television playing unwatched, and scheduled activities like crafts were not provided as planned. Staff interviews confirmed that insufficient staffing prevented the delivery of activities as scheduled, and that activity staff typically left by 4:00 P.M., leaving direct-care staff to distribute handouts instead of facilitating interactive activities. The activity department was also reported to rarely visit certain units, and when activities like the in-house store were offered, residents without funds could not participate, leading to further dissatisfaction and confusion. The facility's own policy required a comprehensive activities program, including social, indoor, outdoor, and community activities tailored to individual needs and interests. However, both staff and residents reported that these requirements were not being met, with the last outside trip occurring before the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of transportation and insufficient staffing were repeatedly cited as reasons for the failure to provide adequate activities, resulting in unmet needs for a significant portion of the resident population.