Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity and Communication During Mealtimes
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to maintain resident dignity and provide appropriate communication during mealtimes for three residents who required feeding assistance. One resident waited 16 minutes in the dining room, watching others eat before being served, and did not receive any interaction or acknowledgment from staff during this time. When the resident was finally assisted, the staff member did not introduce themselves, describe the food, apologize for the delay, or engage in any conversation, and left the resident mid-meal for seven minutes without explanation. Two other residents who required feeding assistance were also not spoken to or engaged by staff while being fed. One staff member did not address or converse with a resident throughout the entire meal, and another only began interacting with a resident near the end of the meal. After feeding, staff continued to provide care and move residents without any verbal communication, further neglecting opportunities for interaction and dignity. Interviews with staff and leadership confirmed that some staff do not routinely communicate with residents during meals, especially if the resident is nonverbal or unable to respond. Staff also acknowledged that it is common for residents requiring feeding assistance to wait extended periods before receiving help, and that leaving a resident mid-feeding to assist others occurs depending on staffing and daily circumstances. Facility policies require a pleasant dining environment and sufficient support personnel, but these were not consistently followed during the observed meal service.