Failure to Honor Resident Dignity and Clothing Preferences
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to ensure residents were treated with dignity and respect, specifically regarding their preference to be dressed in regular clothing rather than gowns. Multiple residents were observed over several days in gowns, both in their rooms and in common areas such as hallways and the dining room. Interviews with these residents revealed that they preferred to be dressed in clothes, with some expressing discomfort and stating they were cold in gowns. Residents also reported that they had communicated their preferences to staff, but their requests were not consistently honored. The facility's own policy requires staff to make reasonable accommodations for residents' needs and preferences, including assistance with dressing. Despite this, staff interviews indicated that if residents did not have clothes available, they were simply dressed in gowns. Staff acknowledged the existence of donated clothing in the facility's laundry, but there was a lack of consistent communication and follow-through to ensure residents had access to appropriate clothing. Some staff stated they would only provide clothes if informed by other departments, and there was no systematic process to ensure residents' closets were stocked with clothing. The affected residents had varying levels of cognitive and physical impairment, with some requiring substantial assistance for dressing and expressing that choosing their own clothes was important to them. Observations showed that residents' personal grooming and hygiene were also neglected, as evidenced by disheveled hair and unshaven faces. The deficiency persisted until family members intervened or until the last day of the survey, when residents were finally observed dressed in regular clothing.