Failure to Provide Adaptive Eating Equipment and Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adaptive eating equipment and utensils to a resident with documented needs. According to the facility's policy, assistive eating devices are to be provided to residents with limited arm mobility or grasp as recommended by nursing or therapy. During an observation, a resident was seen having difficulty eating in her room; she did not have her prescribed Kennedy cup for hot liquids, and her food was not cut up to facilitate easier consumption. No staff were present to assist, and the resident was observed struggling to get food into her mouth, shaking when attempting to scoop food, and verbally expressing distress. The resident's care plan specified the need for a Kennedy cup, but this was not provided at the time of observation. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed the failure to provide the required adaptive equipment and utensils.