Failure to Accommodate Resident Seating Preference in Activity Room
Summary
The facility failed to assess and address a resident’s seating preferences and to document efforts to accommodate those preferences in the activity room. Resident 43 was admitted with diagnoses including hemiplegia, hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, and contractures of the left ankle and left elbow. Her H&P indicated she had the ability to understand and make decisions, and her MDS indicated she was cognitively intact, used a manual wheelchair, and required assistance with several activities of daily living. During observation and interviews, Resident 43 was seated in an oversized wheelchair while doing crossword puzzles and stated there was limited appropriate seating available in the activity room. She explained that only one table was wide enough for her wheelchair and footrests and that she was not always able to secure that preferred seat because of her condition and morning treatments. She later stated that when another resident was seated at that table, she brought the issue to the Activity Director’s attention, but the concern was not addressed and she was told, in front of other residents, that seating was first come first served. Resident 43 stated she felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. The Activity Director stated the resident’s preferred seat was occupied when she arrived and that she was asked to sit at a different table, but no assessment of her seating needs, exploration of alternatives, or documentation of her preferences was completed. A Restorative Nursing Aide stated there was only one of six tables where Resident 43 appeared comfortable and that she could not comfortably sit at the other tables. The DON stated activity staff should assess residents’ needs when preferences are expressed and try to provide alternatives or communication to meet those needs. Facility policies on dignity, accommodation of needs, and activities stated staff must report, document, and act upon resident preferences and make efforts to reasonably accommodate resident needs and preferences.
Penalty
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