Failure to Provide Resident Access to Personal Funds During Non-Banking Hours
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents had access to their personal funds during non-banking hours, as required by their own policy and resident agreements. The policy stated that residents or their legal guardians could request withdrawals from their trust fund accounts at any time. However, the process in place only allowed residents to access their funds through the receptionist, who was available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, including weekends. Outside of these hours, the funds were locked in a safe and there was no process for residents to access their money. This deficiency was identified for two residents. One resident, who was cognitively intact, reported being unable to obtain money from their personal funds to give to a family member and had filed a grievance. Another resident, who was severely cognitively impaired, had a family member express concerns about whether the resident was receiving their money. The Business Office Manager confirmed that there was no process for residents to access their funds outside of the designated hours.