Failure to Provide Meal Cueing Assistance as Specified in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide cueing assistance during a meal as specified in the care plan for a resident with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, dysphagia, and memory deficit. The resident was assessed as severely cognitively impaired and required set-up or clean-up assistance with eating, with her care plan specifically stating she needed set-up and cueing assistance at meals. During two separate lunch observations, the resident was seated alone with her meal tray untouched, while other residents nearby were eating. No staff were observed providing her with the required cueing or assistance during these periods. Interviews with nurse aides revealed that they believed the resident only occasionally needed assistance and were unaware that her care plan specified cueing was required. The aides were assisting other residents and did not approach the resident in question until after a significant delay. The Director of Nursing confirmed that residents needing cues to eat should be placed closer to staff and should not have to wait for assistance while others are being helped.