Failure to Provide Meaningful Activities for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide meaningful activities for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and total dependence on staff for care. The resident, diagnosed with dementia and anxiety disorder, had documented preferences for music, animal interaction, and group activities. Despite care plan instructions to assist the resident with listening to music, observing a bird feeder, and providing one-on-one activities if group participation was not possible, these interventions were not consistently implemented. Observations showed the resident remained in bed with only the television on, the bird feeder was empty, and music was not provided in the room. Staff interviews revealed uncertainty about who was responsible for turning on music and acknowledged that the resident rarely participated in activities, with only sporadic attendance at group events over several months. Documentation of activity participation was lacking, with the Activities Coordinator admitting to not keeping written records until recently. The resident's activity involvement was minimal, with only a few group activities attended over a three-month period, despite the facility's expectation of three to five activities per week. The Activities Coordinator and other staff recognized that the resident's activity needs were not being met, and there was no evidence that activity participation or needs were discussed during care conferences as required by facility policy.