Failure to Ensure Call Light Accessibility for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical diagnoses, including Alzheimer's, dementia, and limited mobility, was not provided reasonable accommodation for their needs. The facility's policy and the resident's care plan both required that the call light be placed within the resident's reach to allow communication with staff. However, during multiple observations over two days, the call light was found on the floor next to the resident's bed, out of the resident's reach, while the resident was lying in bed and unable to access it. The resident was non-interviewable and required total care and extensive assistance for bed mobility. Staff confirmed during the survey that the call light was not accessible and acknowledged that it should have been within reach, as per facility policy and the resident's care plan. The repeated failure to ensure the call light was accessible constituted a lack of reasonable accommodation for the resident's needs and preferences.