Failure to Provide Timely and Dignified Mealtime Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was treated with respect and dignity during mealtimes, as required by resident rights regulations. Observations revealed that the resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, cognitive communication deficit, and required assistance with eating following a fall, was not served her meal or provided assistance to eat at the same time as other residents at her table. On multiple occasions, the resident was observed waiting significantly longer than others for her food, displaying signs of distress such as rocking, moaning, and grunting. Staff acknowledged the delay and the resident's visible frustration, with one staff member apologizing for the wait and another noting that the resident was upset due to the delay. Further observations indicated that while assisting the resident with her meal, staff did not engage or communicate with her, instead conversing with each other. Interviews with staff confirmed that interaction with residents during feeding was important for their well-being, and that the delay in serving the resident was not typical but occurred during the survey process. Staff also stated that feeding two residents at once was acceptable as long as there was no cross-contamination, and that waiting 15-20 minutes for food while others were eating was excessive and not in line with facility expectations. The resident's care plan emphasized the need to monitor for nonverbal communication and to anticipate needs, especially given her cognitive and communication deficits. Despite this, the resident was left waiting for her meal and assistance, and staff did not provide the expected engagement during feeding. Facility policy also required a dignified dining experience, which was not upheld in this instance, as confirmed by both staff interviews and direct observations.