Restriction of Resident Congregation in Activity Area
Summary
The facility failed to promote and facilitate resident self-determination by restricting cognitively intact residents from freely congregating in the activity room during evening hours. During a Resident Council meeting, residents stated they were not permitted to use the activity room, which also served as the dining area, after administrative staff left for the day to play cards, play dominoes, or socialize. They reported that the nurse on duty would not allow them in the area unless a staff member was present to monitor them, and that they had raised the concern with the Activity Director without change. Resident #2, Resident #20, and Resident #40 each voiced that they wanted to remain in the activity area in the evening and felt the restriction treated them like children. Resident #2 stated that LPN #1 was rude when telling residents they could not sit in the dining area to play dominoes or socialize and said he believed it was his right to be there anytime he wanted. Resident #20 stated staff required residents to leave because no staff were available to supervise them, and he believed this violated his rights as a resident. Resident #40 stated he liked to play dominoes with other residents around 8:00 PM or later but was told by the nurse that he and others were not allowed in the area because no one was there to sit with them. Record review showed each of these residents had a BIMS score of 15, indicating they were cognitively intact. Resident #2 was admitted with diagnoses including COPD with acute exacerbation and hypokalemia; Resident #20 was admitted with abdominal distension (gaseous); and Resident #40 was admitted with generalized muscle weakness. The Activities Director stated residents wanted to gather in the dining and activity room area, but the Administrator said residents were not allowed there when staff were not present. LPN #1 acknowledged residents were not allowed in the dining area in the evening because the facility did not have staff available to sit with them, and the Administrator stated residents were not permitted to congregate unsupervised in the activity area due to past allegations between residents.
Penalty
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