Failure to Assist Resident with Dentures Prior to Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with the use of dentures for one resident who was cognitively intact but had significant upper extremity impairment and required substantial or maximal assistance for oral hygiene, including inserting and removing dentures. The resident's care plan identified a self-care performance deficit and risk for decline in activities of daily living due to generalized weakness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and macular degeneration. The nutritional assessment confirmed the resident had dentures. On the morning of the observed incident, the resident was found in bed without dentures and stated that no one had assisted her with them that morning, despite requesting help from staff around 8:30 a.m. The denture cup was observed on the dresser, unused. A CNA who assisted the resident with breakfast reported not noticing the absence of dentures and was unaware the resident had them. The DON confirmed the importance of offering dentures to the resident, acknowledging that without them, the resident would be unable to chew food. The facility's policy required staff to provide appropriate support and assistance with activities of daily living, including dining, for residents unable to perform these tasks independently and in accordance with the care plan.