Failure to Organize and Address Resident Council Concerns
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that resident group meetings, specifically the Resident Council, were organized and structured in a manner that supported residents' rights to participate and have their concerns addressed. Observations of a Resident Council meeting showed low attendance, with only one consistent council member and several first-time attendees. Review of meeting minutes from January through May revealed ongoing, unresolved issues such as missing clothing, delayed call light responses, inadequate snack availability, and dissatisfaction with food quality. There was no meeting held in June, and no documentation was found regarding follow-up or resolution of previously raised concerns. Interviews with residents indicated continued dissatisfaction with food quality, small portion sizes, and repetitive meals, as well as ongoing issues with missing clothing and unresolved grievances. The Food Service Director stated that menus are developed corporately and only slightly adjusted based on resident input, with no always available menu. Alternative meal options are dependent on leftovers or available items, and residents dining in-room must request alternatives to be informed of them. CNAs are expected to offer alternatives and report unmet needs, but there was no verification of this process. Portion increases are only made after reported weight loss or formal requests to the dietitian. The facility's policy requires prompt action on grievances and documentation of responses, but these steps were not demonstrated.