Failure to Provide Meal Set-Up Assistance for Resident with Mobility and Cognitive Impairment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when staff failed to provide necessary set-up assistance with meals for a resident with flaccid hemiplegia, right hand contracture, and moderate cognitive impairment. The resident's care plan, based on occupational therapy recommendations, required staff to assist with meal tray set-up, including opening seasoning packets and beverages. Observations revealed that a CNA delivered the resident's lunch tray but did not provide the required set-up assistance, leaving items unopened. The resident was seen repositioning the tray and opening a pepper packet with his teeth, and he reported that staff do not help him open items or chop his meat, which he finds difficult. Further observation during breakfast showed that the resident's milk carton and other fluids remained unopened after he had consumed part of his meal. When notified, an LPN confirmed that while the resident feeds himself, staff are supposed to open his drinks. The deficiency was reported to the facility's executive director, as the staff did not follow the care plan interventions for meal set-up assistance, resulting in the resident not receiving reasonable accommodation for his needs.