Failure to Provide Private Space for Resident Council Meetings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a private meeting space for the monthly Resident Council meetings, as required by their own policy. Observations revealed that the meetings were held in the dining area, where there was no signage to indicate a meeting was in progress, and staff members entered the room to access the employee break room. During these meetings, staff were within hearing distance of the residents' discussions, and kitchen staff continued to work with the doors open. Residents reported that they were not aware the meetings should be held in a private area and did not know staff should not enter during the meetings. Multiple residents confirmed that staff continued to enter the dining room during Resident Council meetings, even when a sign was posted on the door. One resident, with intact cognition as indicated by a BIMS score of 14, stated they had previously informed the facility about this issue. Another resident, with moderate cognitive impairment, also reported that staff entered the dining room to eat lunch during the meetings. The facility's policy required meetings to be scheduled in an area that promotes privacy, but this was not followed, resulting in a lack of privacy for the Resident Council meetings.