Failure to Accommodate Resident Dining Preferences Due to Inadequate Heating
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accommodate residents' preferences to eat in the dining room due to inadequate heating in common areas, including the dining room itself. Observations revealed that the temperatures in these areas, measured by the Maintenance Director using a hand-held infrared thermometer, ranged from 51.2 to 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The boiler responsible for heating these spaces was found to be non-functional and had been permanently shut off, with exposed wires visible in the boiler room. Auxiliary heaters were present but insufficient to make the dining room comfortable for regular use. Staff interviews confirmed that the dining room had not been used for meals or activities for two years, except for a single event where additional heaters were used. Resident interviews indicated a clear desire to eat in the dining room if the temperature were comfortable. One resident, who was cognitively intact and independent with eating, specifically expressed enjoyment in dining in the communal space but cited the cold as a deterrent. Other residents echoed this sentiment. The Administrator acknowledged that the dining room and other common areas had not been prioritized for heating due to cost concerns and stated that the focus was on maintaining resident room temperatures. As a result, all meals were served in residents' rooms, and the facility did not support or facilitate resident choice regarding dining location.