Failure to Provide Palatable and Timely Meals per Resident Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide palatable, appetizing, and per-preference meals at safe and appropriate temperatures for multiple residents. One resident, who is bed bound, alert, and dependent on staff for all ADLs, reported receiving cold and unappetizing food, missing items on her meal tray, and not receiving her preferred or required foods, such as oatmeal and caffeine-free beverages. She also reported receiving food with egg shells and experiencing significant delays in meal delivery, sometimes receiving meals hours late. Review of her care plans indicated she had specific dietary needs and preferences, which were not consistently honored by the facility. Another resident, who is thin and has missing teeth, reported that his meals were usually cold and tasteless, and he did not regularly receive fresh water, prompting him to keep bottled water at his bedside. Observations confirmed that his meal trays were cold and flavorless, and that he relied on bottled water due to inconsistent water delivery. During a Resident Council meeting, multiple residents unanimously expressed dissatisfaction with the food, citing issues such as poor taste, lack of variety, untimely meal delivery, unfulfilled menu preferences, and staff not respecting resident choices. These findings were corroborated by interviews with staff and direct observation of meal service.