Failure to Provide Private Space for Resident Council Meetings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a private space for resident council meetings, as required by resident rights policies. Interviews with the Activity Director (AD), Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), and Administrator (ADM) confirmed that resident council meetings were routinely held in the dining room, which was not private. Although the AD attempted to maintain privacy by closing doors and placing signs, staff continued to interrupt the meetings, and residents reported that their meetings were never private. During a confidential group meeting held in a bedroom, residents stated they could not speak freely due to frequent staff interruptions and expressed a desire for a more private meeting space. Staff interviews revealed that they were aware of the requirement for private resident council meetings and acknowledged their responsibility to ensure privacy. However, they also indicated that the resident council had not specifically requested a private space, and the issue had not been addressed. Review of the facility's Resident Rights Policy confirmed residents' rights to privacy and to organize and participate in resident groups. Despite this, the facility did not provide an appropriate private area for these meetings, resulting in a failure to honor residents' rights.