Insufficient Dining Room Seating Limits Resident Access to Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient seating in the dining room to accommodate all residents who chose to eat there, resulting in multiple residents having to wait for extended periods before being able to eat. Observations showed several residents in wheelchairs waiting at the entrance to the dining room while others were already seated and eating. Staff interviews confirmed that residents often have to wait for a seat to become available, as there are not enough seats for everyone who wishes to eat in the dining room at the same time. This situation was corroborated by both staff and the facility ombudsman, who noted that the lack of seating is a recurring issue. Residents reported that if they did not arrive early enough, they would have to wait up to an hour before being able to eat, and some were observed waiting near the nurse's station or in their rooms due to the lack of available seating. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that while some residents choose to eat in their rooms, most prefer the dining room, leading to insufficient seating capacity during meal times. The deficiency directly affected multiple residents who were unable to eat at their preferred time and location due to the facility's failure to reasonably accommodate their needs and preferences.