Failure to Post Correct Menu and Offer Meal Alternatives
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to post the correct lunch menu and did not ensure that residents were offered meal options as required. On the day of observation, the posted menu listed spaghetti with meat sauce, seasonal vegetable, garlic toast, and pumpkin dessert for lunch, but the meal actually served was goulash, garlic toast, mixed vegetables, and poppy seed cake. Staff reported that menu changes were due to transitioning to a new management company and using up existing food supplies. The dietary staff did not complete the task of asking residents about meal alternatives that morning, and residents were not informed of the menu changes. Multiple residents reported that they were not asked about their meal preferences or offered alternatives, despite facility documents stating that dietary staff should be informed of alternatives by a specific time. One resident with intact cognitive ability noted that staff did not always come around to ask about meal choices. Another resident with a moderate cognitive deficit could not tolerate peas in the mixed vegetables and was not offered a substitute. A third resident on a low salt, diabetic diet stated she would have preferred a smaller portion if asked. The Dietary Manager was unaware of any facility policy on food choices, and the process for offering alternatives was inconsistently followed.