Failure to Provide Private Space for Resident Council Meetings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor residents' rights to organize and participate in resident council meetings in a private setting. Over a six-month period, all resident council meetings were held in the dining area or a lounge adjacent to the dining room, both of which lacked privacy due to being open spaces without walls or doors. Residents reported frequent disruptions from staff and visitors, as the lounge was directly next to the entrance hallway and dining room, allowing conversations to be overheard and meetings to be interrupted. Resident council members expressed frustration about the lack of privacy and the inability to conduct meetings without interference. The activity director confirmed that there was no dedicated activity room or private area available for these meetings and acknowledged that disruptions occurred when staff and visitors were unaware of the meetings. The administrator was unaware of the requirement for private meeting spaces and had not received complaints from residents regarding this issue.