Failure to Provide Dignity, Privacy, and Appropriate Clothing to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to uphold residents' rights to dignity and respect in two separate incidents involving two residents. In the first case, a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and significant physical limitations was not provided with appropriate clothing. Upon admission, the only clothing items documented were a pair of shoes and socks. The resident reported having only a hospital gown and brief for daily care and outside appointments, which prevented participation in activities and caused feelings of embarrassment. Staff interviews confirmed the lack of clothing for at least three weeks, with a donated outfit having gone missing after laundering. Social Services had not addressed the clothing issue until three months after admission, and there were no donated clothes available in the resident's size. In the second incident, another resident who was fully dependent on caregivers for personal care, including bathing and dressing, was not provided adequate privacy during care. Observations showed that the privacy curtain in the resident's shared room did not fully enclose the bed, allowing roommates to see personal care being provided. The CNA acknowledged the curtain's limitations and stated there was nothing more that could be done to protect the resident's privacy. The Director of Staff Development confirmed that the expectation was for staff to ensure complete privacy, including from roommates, during personal care. Both incidents were in direct violation of the facility's own policies, which require residents to be treated with dignity, provided with appropriate clothing, and afforded privacy during personal care. The failures resulted in residents experiencing social isolation, embarrassment, and a diminished sense of dignity and autonomy.