Failure to Provide Utensils Compromises Resident Dignity During Meal
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to provide care and services in a manner that maintained a resident's dignity. Clinical record review showed that the resident had dementia with mood disturbance, feeding difficulties, was cognitively impaired, and required assistance with self-care, including eating. The care plan indicated the resident was at nutritional risk, required a mechanically altered diet, and was to receive pureed food with double portions. During observation, staff delivered the resident's lunch meal to his room while he was in bed, but did not provide any utensils on the tray. The resident attempted to eat his pureed meal, including mashed potatoes, with his fingers from the time the meal was served until the observation ended. The resident was observed having difficulty eating with his fingers and was unable to complete his meal in a dignified manner.