Health inspection·January 27, 2026

F 0810 Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance. Level of Harm - Minimal harm or potential for actual harm Based on observation, interviews and policy review, the facility failed to ensure adequate and appropriate utensils were provided for resident meals. This affected seven residents (#1, #3, #13, #14, #19, #43, and #44) of seven residents reviewed for appropriate eating utensils being provided with meals. This had the potential to affect all 45 residents who received meals from the kitchen. The facility census was 45. Findings include: Observation on 01/22/26 at 8:14 A.M. revealed two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) passing resident meal trays. Observation of the resident breakfast trays being passed by the CNA staff revealed only a metal spoon was present on each tray and there were no additional silverware or utensils present on the tray or offered to the residents. Observation on 01/22/26 at 8:23 A.M. revealed Dietary Aide (DA) #277 pushing an open cart containing approximately 15-20 meal trays that only had a plastic spoon sitting on top of a folded brown paper towel next to the covered plate.Interview on 01/22/26 at 8:25 A.M. with DA #277 revealed they did not have enough metal silverware for all the residents, so they sent plastic silverware to the remaining residents.Interview on 01/22/26 at 8:30 A.M. with DA #263 confirmed there was not enough silverware for all resident meal trays, so plastic silverware was used for at least half of the residents' trays for each meal. DA #263 additionally stated the kitchen had been out of napkins since 01/20/26 and had been using folded brown paper towels from the hand towel dispenser. DA #263 mentioned the facility sometimes ran out of juice cups for the residents and but there had been a shortage of silverware/utensils for at least six months.Review of the facility lunch menu for 01/22/26 revealed the lunch menu consisted of a chicken enchilada, Spanish rice, corn and black beans, a banana, and juice or milk.1. Review of the medical record for Resident #1 revealed an admission date of 10/02/25. Diagnoses included but were not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic congestive heart failure, and type II diabetes mellitus. Resident #1 was noted to be cognitively intact, received a no concentrated sweets diet, and required set up for meals.Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:19 P.M. with Resident #1 revealed frequently he only receives a spoon, had previously received only a fork to eat soup with, and frequently received plastic silverware with meals. Observation at the time of the interview revealed Resident #1 had only a metal spoon on the lunch tray. 2. Review of the medical record for Resident #3 revealed an admission date of 02/17/25. Diagnoses included but were not limited to dementia, peripheral vascular disease, and atrial fibrillation. Resident #3 was noted to be cognitively intact, received a regular diet, and required set up for meals. Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:25 P.M. with Resident #3 revealed the resident sometimes only a spoon, and sometimes it was a plastic utensil. Observation at the time of the interview revealed Resident #3 only had a metal spoon on the lunch tray. 3. Review of the medical record for Resident #13 revealed an admission ate of 11/10/25. Diagnoses included but were not limited radiculopathy of the lumbar region, alcohol abuse and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Resident #13 was noted to be cognitively intact, received a regular diet, and was independent for eating.Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:43 P.M. with Resident #13 revealed he Residents Affected - Some Page 1 of 2 365859 365859 01/27/2026 The Merriman 209 Merriman Rd Akron, OH 44303

F 0810 Level of Harm - Minimal harm or potential for actual harm Residents Affected - Some received plastic utensils for about half of his meals. Observation at the time of interview revealed Resident #13 had only a metal spoon on the lunch tray.4. Review of the medical record for Resident #14 revealed an admission date of 06/04/25. Diagnoses included but were not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and bipolar disorder. Resident #14 was noted to have intact cognition, received a regular mechanical soft diet, and required set up for meals.Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:34 P.M. with Resident #14 revealed the resident received plastic utensils at least once a week. Observation at the time of the interview revealed Resident #14 had only a metal spoon on the lunch tray.5. Review of the medical record for Resident #19 revealed an admission date of 12/12/25. Diagnoses included but were not limited to bipolar disorder with severe depression, type II diabetes mellitus, and hemiplegia and hemiparesis. Resident #19 was noted to be cognitively intact, received a carbohydrate-controlled diet, and was independent for eating. Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:38 P.M. with Resident #19 revealed the resident usually received plastic silverware, had previously only received a spoon to eat meat with, and had to eat it with his fingers. Resident #19 stated there were times no utensils had been sent with the meal tray. Observation at the time of the interview revealed Resident #19 had only a metal spoon on the lunch tray. 6. Review of the medical record for Resident #43 revealed an admission date of 04/24/23. Diagnoses included but were not limited to anxiety disorder, other psychoactive substance abuse, and severe protein-calorie malnutrition. Resident #43 was noted to be cognitively intact, received a regular diet, and was independent for eating. Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:10 P.M. with Resident #43 revealed sometimes he only received a spoon with which to eat items such as salad. Resident #43 stated he sometimes received plastic utensils and occasionally does not receive utensils at all with the meal. Observation at the time of the interview revealed Resident #43 had only a metal spoon on the lunch tray.7. Review of the medical record for Resident #44 revealed an admission date of 03/16/18. Diagnoses included but were not limited to hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, epilepsy, and anxiety disorder. Resident #44 was noted to have moderate cognitive impairment, received a carbohydrate-controlled diet, and required set up for meals.Interview on 01/22/26 at 12:06 P.M. with Resident #44 revealed he does not always receive silverware with meals and frequently received plastic utensils with the meal tray. Observation at the time of the interview revealed Resident #44 had only a metal spoon on the lunch tray.Interview on 01/26/26 at 1:26 P.M. with the Administrator confirmed residents should receive the appropriate silverware for all meals.Review of the undated facility policy called; Use of Disposable Dishes/Flatware revealed resident meals shall be served using reusable dishes and flatware.This deficiency represents non-compliance investigated under Complaint Number 2693876. 365859 Page 2 of 2