Failure to Assist Resident with Eating
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with eating for a resident who was unable to perform this activity independently. The resident, who had diagnoses including dementia and protein-calorie malnutrition, was observed on multiple occasions lying in bed with a full lunch tray in front of her, either sleeping or appearing confused and unable to use eating utensils properly. No staff were present to assist her during these times. On another occasion, the resident was seen attempting to feed herself but had difficulty getting food onto her utensils, missed her mouth, and dropped food onto herself. Clinical documentation indicated that the resident was severely cognitively impaired and required partial to moderate assistance with eating, as well as cueing at meals. The care plan specified that she needed one-person assistance with eating and should be up out of bed for all meals. Despite these documented needs, staff failed to provide the required assistance, leaving the resident without support during mealtimes.