Failure to Provide Individualized Activities and Access to Activities Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide individualized activities based on comprehensive assessments and care plans for three residents, particularly during nights and weekends. Observations and interviews revealed that the activities room was only open for limited hours on weekdays, restricting access to preferred activities such as complex puzzles, drawing, and painting. Residents expressed that the closure of the activities room outside of these hours prevented them from engaging in meaningful activities, which they found stimulating and comforting, especially during the evening and night. Residents with intact cognition and diagnoses including depression and PTSD reported that access to the activities room was important for their mental well-being. One resident with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury stated that working on puzzles at night in the activities room helped him cope with his trauma. Another resident described feeling lost and depressed when unable to access the room after hours, as she did not enjoy alternative activities like watching TV and found it difficult to transport her complex puzzles. Staff interviews confirmed that residents had complained about the restricted access to the activities room, and the Activities Director acknowledged the negative impact of the limited hours. The facility did not provide a policy for activities when requested, and the care plans for the affected residents included interventions that could not be implemented due to the restricted access. The lack of individualized activities and limited access to the activities room led to unmet physical, mental, and psychosocial needs for the residents involved.