Unqualified Activities Director and Lack of Activities Program Oversight
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a qualified activities professional to oversee its activities program, as required. The part-time activities director had not completed an approved activities professional training program and did not possess any certifications related to activities. The facility did not have a policy regarding activities professional training and requirements. The job description for the Activities Director included responsibilities such as planning, organizing, and implementing programs to meet residents' needs, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with regulations, but the qualifications only referenced knowledge of activities programming and geriatrics, without specifying required certifications or training. Interviews revealed that the activities director did not complete activities assessments for each resident, did not keep records of residents' activity preferences, and did not plan or carry out activities on the memory care unit. The activities director also stated a lack of interest in documentation and was observed performing non-activity-related tasks. The administrator confirmed the activities director was not certified and that a CNA, who also lacked activities training, helped plan activities for the memory care unit. The administrator expected the activities director to have specific training or certifications but relied on the MDS assessment to determine residents' activity preferences.