Failure to Promote Resident Choice and Participation in Activities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promote the physical and emotional well-being of two residents by not allowing them to fully participate in activities and make their own choices. Both residents were assessed as cognitively intact with no upper extremity impairments, as indicated by their MDS assessments and BIMS scores of 15. Despite this, one resident reported that the Activities Supervisor did not allow him or other residents to roll dice during Yahtzee, treating them as if they were handicapped. This led the resident to avoid participating in activities when the Activities Supervisor was present. Another resident confirmed that some activities staff, particularly the Activities Supervisor, did not allow residents to handle dice, attributing this to staff being overly cautious. An Activity Assistant stated that she allowed residents to play games and respected their wishes, but noted that the Activities Supervisor tended to make decisions for the residents, which discouraged participation. The facility's policy on activity programs requires that activities promote physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being, encourage self-expression and choice, and reflect individual resident evaluations. The actions of the Activities Supervisor were inconsistent with these policy requirements, resulting in residents not being able to fully engage in activities or exercise their autonomy.