Failure to Provide Consistent ADL Assistance for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specifically grooming of facial hair, for a resident who was blind and required help with personal care. The resident had diagnoses including blindness in both eyes and paranoid schizophrenia, and her care plan directed staff to provide cueing and set-up assistance with personal hygiene. Observations over several days revealed that the resident had prominent beard stubble and yellow crusty drainage on her eyes, and she reported that staff only cleaned her face during showers. Documentation of personal hygiene tasks was missing from the electronic health record. Interviews with staff indicated inconsistent practices regarding facial hair removal, with some staff performing the task and others not. Staff reported that facial hair should be removed on shower days or when requested, but the resident, due to her blindness, did not typically request this care. The facility did not provide a policy on ADL assistance for dependent residents. These actions and omissions resulted in the resident not receiving grooming care in accordance with her needs and preferences.