Failure to Provide Social Services Assistance for Resident Identification Documents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide medically-related social services to assist a cognitively intact resident in obtaining a Social Security card and state identification, as required by facility policy. The resident, who had quadriplegia and idiopathic hypotension, was admitted to the facility and had a BIMS score of 15/15, indicating intact cognition. Care planning notes documented that during an interdisciplinary care plan meeting with the resident’s mother/representative, the SW informed her that another attempt had been made to complete the Social Security form so the resident could receive a Social Security card, with the resident’s stated end goal being to obtain a Georgia ID. At a subsequent care plan meeting, the SW discussed with the mother whether she could assist with getting the Social Security card after two unsuccessful attempts, and it was noted there were no psychosocial concerns at that time. An application for a Social Security card was completed for the resident on 11/10/2025, but a review of the comprehensive record showed no documentation of any follow-up by the facility after that date regarding the Social Security card or Georgia ID. In an interview, the resident confirmed he had never received his Social Security card or Georgia ID and stated he would like to obtain those items. The resident’s mother/representative confirmed the card had never been received, reported that the situation had been very stressful for both of them, and stated she lived out of state with her own health problems and was relying on facility staff for assistance. During interviews, the SW and SSD confirmed there had been no follow-up by the facility since 11/10/2025, a period of more than three and a half months, and acknowledged that social services staff were responsible for assisting with such matters. The facility’s Social Services Policy stated that the facility would provide medically-related social services to assist each resident in attaining or maintaining their highest practicable well-being, including making arrangements for obtaining personal items and making referrals to outside entities.
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