F0806

F

Failure to Honor Food Preferences and Maintain Adequate Food Supply

Niles, Michigan Survey Completed on 01-23-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to honor resident food preferences and maintain adequate food supplies as required by policy. One cognitively intact resident, Resident #37, reported that the food was so poor that she ordered the same dinner every night—two hamburger patties without a bun and dessert—and that she had to purchase her own English muffins because the kitchen would not obtain them for her. She also stated she preferred tomatoes on salads and more vegetables and had previously discussed her preferences with the Dietary Supervisor but remained dissatisfied. Review of the facility’s Food Preference Policy indicated that if a resident is unhappy with their diet, staff will create a care plan that the resident is satisfied with and that the Food Services Department will offer a variety of foods at each scheduled meal.

Two other cognitively intact residents, Resident #16 and Resident #29, reported that the kitchen frequently ran out of various food items, particularly from the middle to the end of the month. Resident #16 stated the kitchen ran out of brown sugar, butter, bananas, peach cups, and that hot dogs and hamburgers—listed on the always available menu—had been unavailable for a week, and that food served was often disliked and condiments were not available. Resident #29 similarly reported that hot dogs, hamburgers, pudding, and bananas ran out often, especially mid- to late month. The Dietary Supervisor and Registered Dietitian confirmed that food orders were placed weekly, then adjusted by corporate to stay within budget, and acknowledged that brown sugar had been removed from orders and that bananas had run out in the past, though alternative fruits were available. The Nursing Home Administrator stated she was not aware that residents reported food running out mid- to late month.