F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
E

Failure to Provide Resident-Preferred Activities

Van Duyn Center For Rehabilitation And NursingSyracuse, New York Survey Completed on 12-15-2025

Summary

The facility failed to provide ongoing programs to support each resident in their choice of activities for two residents. The deficiency was identified during observations, record review, and interviews, and involved Resident #15 and Resident #163. The facility policy stated that each resident should have a structured and individualized activities and therapeutic recreation program that met interests and enhanced quality of life in accordance with the comprehensive care plan, preferences, and abilities. Resident #15 had diagnoses including cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, and aphasia. The resident’s MDS documented severe cognitive impairment, dependence on staff for all ADLs, and that the resident was sometimes understood and sometimes understood others. The care plan called for at least 12 leisure activities per month, with interventions including 1:1 activities and seating near the front so the resident could see and hear better. Records showed limited documented activity participation in October and December, with no documented activities after 10/16/2025 in October and only one 1:1 entry on 12/01/2025 in December. The resident was observed multiple times sitting in their room without music or television stimulation, including while a musician was performing down the hall, and staff stated the resident enjoyed cartoons and should have the television on for stimulation. Staff also stated the resident was unable to refuse activities and should have been brought to music activities, but the recreation therapist could not recall the activity or day of the one 1:1 visit and was not sure why the resident was not brought to live music. Resident #163 had diagnoses including chronic pain syndrome, difficulty walking, and schizoaffective disorder. The resident’s MDS documented intact cognition and substantial to maximum assistance with some care needs. The care plan called for at least 12 leisure activities per month and noted interests including cooking, cards, bingo, music, reading, spiritual circle, television, socials, trivia, word search, puzzles, and pets. The resident reported being upset because staff did not get them up in time for morning activities, especially coffee hour and BINGO, and stated they missed activities on multiple occasions because they remained in bed. The resident said CNA #20 told them they had to wait until breakfast trays were served and picked up before getting up, and staff also reported delays when a transfer sling could not be found. The activity calendar listed coffee brew on several mornings, but the resident did not attend those listed activities and repeatedly stated they wanted to participate but were not brought up in time.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $238,13543 days payment denial
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0679 citations
No Scheduled Outings for Residents Who Wanted Group Activities Outside the Facility
E
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

A facility failed to plan group outings outside the facility for residents who said it was very important to them to go out in a group setting. Five cognitively intact residents on the Resident Council reported there had been no scheduled outings for over a year, and they described feeling sad, unhappy, lonely, or depressed because they could not go to restaurants, shop, socialize, or attend events like movies, bowling, Christmas lights, or parades. The AD and Administrator stated the facility had no van and relied on contract transport for medical appts only.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide TV Accommodations for a Hard-of-Hearing Resident
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to provide activity accommodations for a resident with highly impaired hearing. A cognitively intact resident with a fracture preferred watching older TV shows but stated he/she could not hear the television when wanting to watch it. Staff observed the resident in bed with the TV off on multiple occasions, and staff reported that headsets were used for hard-of-hearing residents, but one was not offered to this resident.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Planned In-Room Activities
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to provide planned in-room activities for a resident who preferred not to attend group activities. The resident had intact cognition, anxiety around groups, and documented preferences for reading, news, TV, and one-on-one activities in her room. Records showed she was supposed to receive in-room activities, but no participation documentation was found, and the resident stated she had not received the activities she agreed to. The Activity Director acknowledged the resident had not received in-room activities since admission and said she forgot the resident was on the program.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Activities Program Did Not Meet Resident Needs and Interests
E
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Activities program did not meet resident needs and interests for multiple residents. One resident wanted more 1:1 conversation but had very limited documented 1:1 activity time, another resident with severe cognitive impairment had minimal documented group participation despite a care plan to encourage involvement, and a third resident said he was not being told about church and group activities even though his MDS and activity preferences showed strong interest in them.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Lack of Meaningful Activities in Memory Care Unit
E
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Lack of Meaningful Activities in Memory Care Unit: Two residents in the memory care unit were observed without meaningful engagement, with one resident wandering between areas and another sleeping on a couch in the common area. Staff reported that regular activities were not being provided, the unit did not really use the activity calendar, the TV stayed on the same show for two days, and there was no specific calendar developed to meet the needs of the memory care population.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Individualized Activity Programming
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Individualized Activity Programming: Two residents with CVA-related paralysis and severe cognitive impairment did not have documented Section F activity preferences or care plans reflecting individualized activities for paralysis. One resident’s assessment showed preferences for fresh air, religious services, and activities throughout the day, but June activity records were inaccurate and the resident was observed in bed watching TV. Staff reported the AD position was vacant after the former AD moved to dietary, and they could not confirm that in-room activities were being provided to bedbound residents.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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