Meal Assistance Did Not Preserve Resident Dignity
Summary
The facility failed to provide care in a manner that enhanced residents’ dignity and ensured full recognition of individuality for one resident and three additional residents during meal assistance. Facility policy stated that residents who cannot feed themselves will be fed with attention to safety, comfort, and dignity, and staff should not stand over residents while assisting with meals. Resident #26 had severely impaired cognitive skills for daily decision making, diagnoses of cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, and was dependent on staff for eating; the care plan directed staff to assist with all meals, snacks, and drinks. During observation, the resident sat in a reclining wheelchair while a CNA stood beside the resident and fed bites of pureed food. The CNA stated he/she stood while feeding in the dining room to keep an eye on other residents and monitor for choking. Resident #32 had memory problems, Alzheimer’s disease, and was dependent on staff for eating; the care plan directed staff to provide set up, oversight, encouragement, cueing, and assistance during eating and drinking. During observation, the resident sat in a reclining wheelchair at the table while a CNA stood beside the table and fed bites of pureed food. The CNA stated staff should probably sit next to residents when assisting them, but most staff stood because several residents needed assistance and staff did not want food to get cold. Resident #72 had multiple sclerosis and dementia, with severe cognitive impairment and partial to moderate assistance needed for eating; the resident also had a physician order for finger foods to increase self-feeding independence. During observation, the resident sat in a wheelchair with a neck pillow at the dining room table, had food on the plate and applesauce out of reach, and a CNA stood next to the resident, asked if the resident wanted to be pulled up, then fed applesauce while standing and did not speak further during the meal. The DON and Administrator both stated staff should sit next to a resident rather than stand when assisting with eating.
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