Failure to Provide ADL Assistance for Visually Impaired Resident
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for a resident who was legally blind, hard of hearing, and required help with personal care. The resident, who also had Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, reported that his fingernails were too long and getting caught on things, and he expressed a desire for staff to cut them. Observation confirmed that his fingernails were long, jagged, and broken. An LPN confirmed that the resident could not cut his own fingernails and required staff assistance, which had not been provided. Additionally, the resident was left alone in the dining room after a meal and was unable to return to his room independently due to his blindness and mobility limitations. He had been in the dining room for an extended period, attempting to get staff attention without success. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident required assistance to return to his room and that staff were supposed to remain in the dining area until all residents had left. The DON also confirmed that a nurse should have been present and that the resident should not have been left alone.