Failure to Provide Person-Centered Dementia Care and Behavior Management
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to assess, develop, and implement person-centered care plans and behavior management interventions for multiple residents with dementia and behavioral symptoms. Six residents with dementia (R1, R2, R3, R5, R7, and R8) lacked individualized behavior assessments identifying triggers and effective interventions, despite documented wandering, aggression, and resident-to-resident altercations. Care plans for these residents contained only generic directions such as cueing, reorienting, supervising PRN, and redirecting, without specific, individualized strategies based on each resident’s known preferences, histories, or observed behavior patterns. Activity assessments and preference evaluations documented that these residents enjoyed specific activities such as reading, outdoor time, music, work tasks, and social engagement, but these interests were not translated into targeted behavioral interventions. For R1, who had dementia with behavioral disturbances, the record showed repeated episodes of wandering into other residents’ rooms, taking belongings, attempting to tilt another resident from a chair, pushing staff, carrying tables, attempting to climb on tables, and trying to hit windows with a chair. R1 was involved in an altercation where another resident stomped on his face after R1 entered that resident’s room, and later engaged in escalating aggression that led to a 911 call and hospital transfer. Progress notes and staff interviews described ongoing exit-seeking, striking out at staff, unplugging cameras, threatening to damage equipment, and urinating in inappropriate places, while staff primarily responded with close supervision and redirection. Despite this pattern, there was no behavior assessment in the medical record to identify triggers or effective interventions, and staff reported that the care-planned approach of “follow and redirect” did not stop R1’s behaviors. R2, who had dementia with agitation and PTSD, was known not to like others in his room, and his care plan included general interventions to protect the rights and safety of others and redirect him. After an altercation in which another resident entered his room, staff attempted to use a mesh barrier with a stop sign across his doorway, but it was placed inside the closed door where it could not serve as a visible cue to others. R2’s record also lacked a behavior assessment to identify triggers or effective interventions, despite family reporting that staff had been informed of his preference to keep others out of his room. R3, who had dementia and a history of physical behaviors toward others, reported multiple incidents of another resident entering his room, attempting to take his pillow, urinating on his floor, and trying to get into his bed. R3’s care plan referenced a history of altercation when another resident walked into his room and included only broad language to protect rights and safety and divert attention PRN, with no documented behavior assessment to guide more specific preventive strategies. R5, with severe cognitive impairment and frequent physical behaviors and wandering, was observed repeatedly entering other residents’ rooms despite staff attempts to redirect him. The care plan again relied on general redirection, offering snacks or diversional activities, and monitoring whereabouts, but staff interviews confirmed that the primary intervention was to follow and redirect, which they stated did not stop his behaviors and required significant staff time. R7, who had severe cognitive impairment and wandering behavior, had no behavior assessment in the record, and family reported that they rarely saw activity staff on the unit and that R7’s interests in motorcycles, fishing, shopping, and being active were not reflected in activities offered; instead, he was usually observed lying in bed. R8, who had dementia and was dependent for ADLs, also had documented interests in social interaction, outings, music, and games, but family reported that some staff were not good at redirecting residents and allowed them to go where they wanted. During one observation, R1 loudly told R8’s visitors it was time to leave, causing them to move to another area, and staff did not intervene. Unit-wide observations showed that activity staff presence was inconsistent and that residents with dementia and wandering or behavioral symptoms were often minimally engaged. During a prolonged observation period, NAs were frequently seated at the nurse’s station with limited interaction with residents, while residents slept at tables, wandered toward exits, or moved around the kitchen area. Staff interviews confirmed that activities on the secured unit were infrequent, often did not occur as scheduled, and that the unit “almost never had activities” except when surveyors were present. Nursing staff, including NAs and nurses, reported feeling overwhelmed by the behavioral needs of residents, described frequent resident-to-resident conflicts related to wandering into rooms, and stated they needed specific, resident-tailored lists of behavioral interventions, which were not available. The DON and medical director acknowledged behavioral challenges and staffing limitations but there was no evidence in the record of completed behavior assessments or individualized, person-centered behavior management plans for the residents reviewed.
Penalty
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A resident with dementia and repeated resident-to-resident altercations was not comprehensively reassessed after multiple incidents, and the record did not show identification of triggers or updated individualized interventions. Staff described ongoing pillow-taking, room changes, and aggression, but the care plan was not documented as revised. In addition, another resident with severe cognitive impairment and Huntington’s disease was observed repeatedly running barefoot and agitated while staff did not consistently follow the care plan’s interventions such as footwear, ambulation, redirection, snacks, or a calm environment.
Staff failed to appropriately respond to dementia-related behaviors for multiple residents. A resident on a locked memory care unit repeatedly exit-seeked and became aggressive when prevented from going outside, while staff relied on redirection and PRN meds after escalation. Another resident was loudly scolded in the dining room after taking silverware, and a third resident was moved to a med room after wandering into female rooms and undressing, with staff reportedly telling him not to hit them and escalating his behavior. Care plans and notes did not show consistent individualized behavioral management.
A resident with dementia, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, wandering, and nighttime sleep disturbance had trazodone reduced from 50 mg to 25 mg after a pharmacy review. Staff later documented increased anxiety, insomnia, wandering, and agitation, and psychiatry recommended increasing trazodone back to 50 mg or even 75 mg nightly, but no order was entered and the resident continued receiving 25 mg. Interviews confirmed the psychiatric recommendation was missed and not addressed.
A resident with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and major depressive disorder did not have an individualized, person-centered dementia care plan included in the comprehensive care plan. The RNAC confirmed the dementia diagnosis and that the facility failed to develop and implement a dementia care plan for the resident.
A resident admitted with dementia had a care plan that listed only general interventions such as cueing, reorienting, reporting changes to the physician, and providing activities that accommodate needs. The record did not show an individualized person-centered care plan addressing the resident’s specific cognitive loss and dementia-related needs, and the findings were reviewed with the NHA and DON.
A resident with Parkinson’s disease and dementia had documented wandering risk and prior behaviors of entering other residents’ rooms and beds, but the facility did not have a care plan addressing those behaviors before the incident. Staff found the resident in another resident’s bed with his genitals exposed and the other resident’s breast exposed. Interviews showed the assigned 1:1 sitter did not know why supervision was needed, the nurse was unaware of prior behaviors, and the DON reported the IDT typically identifies triggers and interventions, but no documentation showed that this occurred before the event.
Failure to Reassess Dementia Behaviors and Follow Care Plan Interventions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate dementia care treatment and services for a resident with moderate cognitive impairment, dementia, anxiety, insomnia, wandering, and rejection of care. The resident’s care plan identified repetitive questions, wandering into other residents’ rooms, and involvement in resident-to-resident altercations as a victim, with interventions such as psychology follow-up, monitoring and documenting mood and behavior, calm approach, removal from crowded areas, one-to-one visits, and introduction to residents with similar interests. The record also noted use of a different colored pillow for forgetfulness and reminders for staff to prompt the resident to carry the special pillow when seen with a white pillow. After repeated resident-to-resident altercations, including incidents in which the resident struck a roommate, fought with another resident over a pillow, slapped a resident in the dining room, and later kicked and hit another resident before being sent to the ER, the medical record did not show that staff reassessed the underlying causes of the behaviors, evaluated whether prior interventions were effective, identified behavioral triggers, or revised the care plan with new individualized interventions. Staff interviews described that the resident wandered with a pillow, took other residents’ pillows, and was moved from room to room after conflicts, but documentation of a comprehensive updated plan of care was not provided. The facility also failed to follow established dementia care interventions for another resident with severe cognitive impairment and Huntington’s disease who had verbal behaviors, agitation, running in the hallway, and physical aggression. The care plan and aide care sheet called for gripper socks or shoes, ambulation with the resident, a calm and quiet environment, reduced noise, snacks or food when agitated or running, wheelchair use when needed, and redirection. During observations, the resident repeatedly ran barefoot through the hallway and in and out of the room, while staff did not provide footwear, walk with the resident, redirect her to slow down, or consistently implement the planned interventions. The dining room television was also observed playing violent scenes at a volume loud enough to interfere with conversation despite the care plan calling for reduced environmental stimulation and a calm environment.
Staff Failed to Respond Appropriately to Dementia-Related Behaviors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure staff knew how to appropriately respond to, assess, and address behavioral symptoms in residents diagnosed with dementia. The report identifies three residents with dementia-related behaviors who were managed primarily through staff redirection, verbal correction, or PRN medication, rather than through consistent individualized behavioral approaches described in their care plans and the facility’s dementia care policy. One resident, who had dementia and agoraphobia with panic disorder and lived on a locked memory care unit, repeatedly wandered and attempted to exit through doors leading to an enclosed outdoor area. When she became upset and aggressive after being prevented from going outside, multiple staff members responded, and a nurse sought PRN medication to calm her down. Staff statements indicated they usually did not let her go outside or walk with her even though the area was available, and that they relied on PRN medication when she became upset. Her progress notes documented repeated aggressive and exit-seeking behaviors, and her care plan listed wandering and verbal aggression interventions, but the observed response centered on containment, redirection, and medication after escalation. Another resident with dementia and anxiety was observed in the dining room taking silverware from the table and wrapping it in a napkin and placing it in his shirt. A nurse responded in a loud, stern voice, repeatedly telling him not to do it and stating that all new silverware was needed because of him. The resident’s progress notes did not document this behavior, and his care plan did not address the specific utensil-taking behavior. A DON later stated the resident needed to be spoken to calmly because otherwise it would work him up more. A third resident with dementia was reported by his sister and staff to be wandering into female residents’ rooms, trying to remove his clothes, and becoming aggressive. Staff moved him to the medication room and told him not to hit staff, which reportedly escalated his behavior. The sister stated staff seemed shocked by his wandering despite his dementia and believed they lacked training on how to handle the behavior. The resident’s progress notes documented wandering into female peers’ rooms, undressing, and becoming combative, while his care plan addressed general behavior issues with calm approach, diversion, and removal from the situation, but the events described showed staff responses that were loud, reactive, and not aligned with those approaches.
Psychiatric trazodone recommendation not implemented for resident with dementia and wandering
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to address psychiatric NP recommendations to increase trazodone for a resident with dementia, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, wandering, and nighttime sleep disturbance. The resident was admitted with diagnoses that included dementia, anxiety, restlessness, and agitation, and had a documented pattern of exit-seeking, wandering, refusing medications, and requiring 1:1 supervision. Trazodone had initially been ordered at 50 mg at bedtime, then reduced to 25 mg after a pharmacy recommendation for gradual dose reduction was accepted by the NP. After the dose was reduced, an NP progress note documented that staff reported increased anxiety and insomnia and that the resident had failed the dose reduction, but the order remained at 25 mg at bedtime. The record showed no new order to increase trazodone back to 50 mg at that time. Nursing notes later documented ongoing wandering throughout the night, the resident entering another resident’s room, being found in another resident’s bed, and becoming agitated and combative when redirected. The care plan continued to identify behavioral symptoms including restlessness, anxiety, agitation, wandering, and exit-seeking. A psychiatric assessment noted significant cognitive and behavioral challenges, agitation, suspicious behavior, and a history of violent behavior, and indicated medication management services were needed. A psychiatric follow-up later recommended increasing trazodone to 50 mg or 75 mg nightly for sleep and restlessness, but the MAR showed the resident continued to receive 25 mg nightly and no corresponding order was found. Interviews with the Clinical Coordinator, NP, Psychiatric NP, and DON confirmed that the psychiatric recommendation to increase trazodone was missed and not addressed, and the NP stated it was her error and that she thought the medication had been discontinued completely.
Missing Dementia Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to develop and implement an individualized, person-centered care plan to address dementia for Resident R20. The facility policy on comprehensive care plans stated that each care plan should include measurable objectives and time frames to meet the resident’s medical, nursing, mental, and psychosocial needs identified in the comprehensive assessment, and should describe the services and care to be furnished to attain the resident’s highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Resident R20 was admitted to the facility and the MDS indicated diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and major depressive disorder. Review of the clinical record showed that the resident’s care plans did not include a care plan for dementia. During interviews, the RNAC confirmed that Resident R20 had a diagnosis of dementia and that a dementia care plan was not included in the comprehensive care plans, and also confirmed that the facility failed to develop and implement an individualized person-centered care plan to address dementia for this resident.
Failure to Individualize Dementia Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
Failure to provide appropriate treatment and services for dementia was identified for Resident 11, who was admitted on April 3, 2026 with a diagnosis including dementia, described as loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that interfere with daily life. Review of the resident’s current care plan for impaired cognitive function/dementia or impaired thought processes related to dementia showed only general interventions such as cueing and reorienting, reporting changes to the physician, and providing activities that accommodate needs. The record did not show that the facility had implemented an individualized person-centered care plan to address the resident’s specific dementia and cognitive loss needs. The findings were reviewed with the NHA and DON on June 17, 2026 at 12:10 PM.
Failure to Address Dementia-Related Wandering and Inappropriate Bed Entry
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement effective interventions for a resident with dementia-related behaviors in a timely manner. The resident, who had diagnoses including Parkinson’s disease and dementia, was documented as being at risk for wandering on wandering risk assessments, and prior progress notes described him urinating in his hat and garbage can, sitting in another resident’s bed, and becoming agitated when redirected from another resident’s room. Despite these documented behaviors and collateral information noting a history of wandering and searching behaviors related to his deceased spouse, there was no care plan addressing the resident’s known wandering risk until after the incident in which he was found in another resident’s bed. On the day of the incident, staff found the resident in another resident’s bed under the covers with the other resident. The resident was undressed from the waist down, his genitals were exposed, and the other resident’s breast was exposed. The resident stated he did not know what happened and did not remember, and when asked why he took off his brief, he said it was dirty. The record also showed that the resident had been moved to a new room on the second floor, but there was no documentation explaining why the room change was made. Interviews with staff showed that the CNA who was assigned as a 1:1 sitter did not know why the resident required that supervision and believed it may have been because he wandered into other residents’ rooms. The nurse assigned to the resident reported being unaware of prior wandering or sexual behaviors, although she had heard reports that he wandered into other residents’ rooms. The DON stated the resident was placed on the second floor and that the IDT typically identified triggers and interventions for wandering behaviors, but no documentation was found showing the IDT monitored the resident’s wandering pattern or identified triggers before the incident. The facility’s behavioral management policy stated that the IDT would identify causes of behavior changes, document and track behaviors, and address behaviors and interventions in the care plan.
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