Failure to Provide Individualized Activity Program and Maintain Preferred Activities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide an individualized and ongoing activity program to meet the needs and interests of three sampled residents, as required by its own policies and procedures. All three residents were cognitively intact and had clearly documented preferences for self-directed activities, particularly watching television, which was identified as very important to their well-being. Despite repeated complaints and grievances regarding non-functioning TV channels, the facility did not ensure that the residents' preferred activities were consistently available. Observations and interviews revealed that the residents experienced ongoing issues with their TVs, including missing or non-working channels for extended periods. Residents reported these problems to various staff members, including nursing staff, the Maintenance Director, and the Administrator, but the issues persisted. Facility documentation, such as grievance reports and Resident Council minutes, confirmed that the TV channel problems were a recurring concern and had not been resolved to the residents' satisfaction. The Maintenance Director and Administrator acknowledged the ongoing nature of the problem and the lack of effective resolution, with maintenance staff only attempting to reset TVs after complaints and no evidence of timely or comprehensive follow-up. Medical record reviews and staff interviews further confirmed that the residents' activity care plans did not address their TV concerns, and there was no documentation of care plan meetings or interdisciplinary discussions to resolve the issue. The facility's own policies required regular activity evaluations and individualized care planning based on residents' preferences, but these were not implemented in practice. The lack of a functioning TV, as a preferred activity, was not addressed in the residents' care plans, and staff did not provide adequate assistance or follow-up to ensure the residents' needs and interests were met.