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

Failure to Develop Activity Care Plans for Residents’ Preferences

Ellicott City Healthcare CenterEllicott City, Maryland Survey Completed on 02-19-2026

Summary

The facility failed to develop or update activity care plans to address residents’ activity interests for 3 of 4 residents reviewed. Resident #12 had been in the facility for several years, was dependent on staff for mobility, had some cognitive impairment, and preferred family involvement in care discussions. The resident’s MDS indicated it was somewhat important to get fresh air when weather was good, and the care conference note recorded the resident statement, “I need to go outside.” However, the activity care plan did not include interventions related to taking the resident outside, and activity documentation for the prior 90 days did not show activities offered from 12/7/25 through 12/15/25 or any documentation that the resident had been offered fresh air outings during that review period. Resident #2 was admitted in January 2026, was cognitively intact, and was observed independently wheeling in the hallway. The MDS showed it was very important to the resident to listen to preferred music and to go outside for fresh air when the weather was good. The resident reported that the only way to go outside was with residents who smoke during scheduled smoking times. Staff interviews showed conflicting information about access to outdoor areas, including statements that residents could not sit outside unsupervised in front of the building, that the courtyard was available, and that the courtyard required a code and staff assistance to access. Review of the resident’s care plan failed to reveal an activities care plan, and the Activity Director acknowledged that a full assessment and activity care plan had not yet been completed. Resident #89, a long-term resident, also had no activities care plan. On review of the care plan, no activities care plan was found, and the DON confirmed that the resident did not have one. The Activity Director later confirmed that there was no activities care plan for the resident and stated that every resident should have one. The report also noted that the Activity Director was new to the position and that an audit of activities care plans for all residents would be conducted going forward.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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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

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See other F0679 citations
Lack of Posted Activity Schedule and Resident Notification
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

A facility failed to provide an ongoing activity program that met residents’ interests and failed to inform residents of available activities. Two cognitively intact residents said group activities and favorite activities were important, but one resident had no documented activity participation during the review period and both residents reported no posted activity calendar, limited or no staff notification, and activities occurring mainly on another floor. Staff confirmed there was no Activities Director, activities were not routinely occurring on the third floor, and the calendar was not posted for resident viewing.

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 Ongoing Individual and Independent Activities
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Ongoing Individual and Independent Activities: Two residents with significant medical and functional limitations did not have consistent documentation of individual or independent activities that matched their preferences and psychosocial needs. One resident with CAD, ESRD, DM, CVA, depression, pain, and bedfast status reported wanting in-room activities but said staff were too busy to offer them, while another resident with severe cognitive impairment, hemiplegia, anxiety, and wheelchair dependence preferred family visits, TV, snacks, and music and had limited activity documentation despite care plan directions and psych recommendations for social and cognitively stimulating engagement.

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 Activities for a Resident with Dementia
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Activities for a Resident with Dementia: A resident with dementia, anxiety, severe cognitive impairment, and total ADL dependence was not provided an activities program to support social needs and psychosocial well-being. Records showed only one 1:1 activity over several months, while observations found the resident repeatedly in bed with the TV on. Nurses acknowledged turnover in the activities dept and that there had been no activities in the memory unit for several days, despite care plan directions to invite and encourage participation and provide in-room activities.

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 Programs
D
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Individualized Activity Programs: Three residents with severe cognitive impairment and other significant conditions did not receive activity programs matched to their preferences and needs. One resident with dementia and another with Alzheimer’s disease were repeatedly observed sitting alone or in bed without music, meaningful engagement, or documented 1:1 activities after moving to the rehab hallway, while staff said activity support did not come to that unit. A blind resident with severe cognitive impairment also had no documented music or outdoor activities despite stated preferences, and the AD noted staff had been too busy to provide those activities.

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 Documented Activity Programming
E
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Documented Activity Programming: Three residents with depression, dementia, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and severe cognitive impairment had care plans and stated preferences for meaningful activities, including in-room and group options, but activity records showed no documented participation in either in-room or group activities during the reviewed periods. The Activity Director acknowledged one resident was not on the in-room list, another should have been receiving in-room activities, and a third had been forgotten for required 1:1 activities.

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.
Inconsistent Activity Program and Frequent Cancellations
E
F0679 F679: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Short Summary

Inconsistent Activity Program and Frequent Cancellations: The facility failed to provide an ongoing activity program with daily organized options for 3 residents, including a resident with bipolar disorder, a resident with hemiplegia/hemiparesis after CVA, and a resident with Alzheimer's disease. The calendar showed self-directed activities every weekend, while residents and a CNA reported that scheduled events such as the coffee social were often cancelled or not actually held, leaving little more than TV or independent packets for engagement. The AD said 2 to 3 activities were cancelled each week and that weekend activities were self-directed due to a conflict, while the Admin acknowledged the weekend schedule did not meet facility standards and noted prior complaints about lack of activities.

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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