Failure to Provide Required ADL Assistance During Mealtime
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with multiple diagnoses, including diabetes, bilateral cataracts, lung disease, anxiety, cognitive deficit, dementia, and muscle weakness, did not receive the required assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specifically during mealtime. Observation revealed that the resident was having difficulty eating independently, as she was unable to properly scoop food and did not have her assistive Kennedy cup available. No staff were present to assist her, and her food was not prepared in a way that accommodated her needs. When asked, the resident expressed she was not okay and exhibited physical difficulty while attempting to eat. Further review of the resident's clinical record and care plan indicated she required supervision or touching assistance while eating, as documented in her Minimum Data Set (MDS) and care plan. Despite this, staff assumed she could feed herself and did not provide the necessary support. The resident's weight records showed a significant weight loss of approximately two pounds per week. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that the facility failed to provide the required ADL assistance as outlined in the resident's care plan and facility policy.