Failure to Assist Cognitively Impaired Resident with Financial Matters
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate assistance with financial matters for a resident who was moderately cognitively impaired and required supervision or assistance with transfers and ambulation. The resident, who had diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy, type 2 diabetes mellitus, artificial left eye, lack of coordination, dementia, and cognitive communication deficit, was unable to appropriately answer questions about his banking activities and could not recall going to the bank. During a Medicaid redetermination process, it was discovered that the resident had too much money in his account, and bank statements were needed to resolve the issue. The facility arranged for the resident to go to the bank to obtain these statements, but he was sent without proper identification and was not adequately accompanied by staff who could assist with his needs. At the bank, the resident was unable to communicate or articulate his needs to the teller, and staff who accompanied him were not present with him inside the bank initially. The bank teller, concerned about the situation, contacted facility staff for clarification, but the process could not be completed due to the lack of identification. Interviews with facility staff revealed confusion about the process and a lack of clear responsibility for assisting the resident during the bank visit. The facility's policy states that residents' financial affairs should be safeguarded, but in this instance, the resident did not receive the necessary support to manage his financial matters.