Dignity and Respect During Meal Assistance
Summary
The facility did not ensure that residents were treated with dignity and respect during assistance with activities of daily living, including dining assistance. Surveyor observation showed 2 staff assisting 6 residents with meals at the same time, with 4 residents waiting for their turn while their plates of food sat in front of them. CNA/Restorative Aide E reported she could not converse with residents or sit alongside them while assisting because she was trying to help too many residents at once. The NHA, RN, and DON each stated that staff should be seated with one or two residents and assist them for the duration of the meal in a dignified manner. R62 had diagnoses including rhabdomyolysis, dementia without behavioral disturbances, moderate protein calorie malnutrition, adult failure to thrive, and cerebrovascular disease. Her care plan directed staff to provide verbal cues, tray setup, pouring liquids, cutting food, applying condiments, and assistance with eating as needed. R24 had dementia and a care plan for setup and supervision assist with feeding, including verbal cues and meal setup. R40 had cerebrovascular disease, hospice, adult failure to thrive, vascular dementia, and disturbances of salivary secretion, and her care plan directed staff to provide assistance with all oral intake as needed and meals in the restorative main dining room. R42 had congenital hydrocephalus and a care plan for total assist with feeding and alternating liquids and solids at a slow rate. R53 had neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease, feeding difficulties, and cognitive communication deficit, and her care plan called for feeding assistance or supervision as needed. R61's MDS indicated setup and clean-up assistance with eating. During observation, CNA E assisted R53 while standing for the entire meal and used the clothing protector as a napkin to wipe her mouth. CNA D similarly stood while feeding R42 for the entire meal and used the clothing protector as a napkin throughout the meal. Both CNAs stated they stood to move faster or because it was awkward to feed while seated, and RN C and the DON stated staff should be seated when providing feeding assistance and should use napkins rather than clothing protectors as napkins.
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