MDS Alert

Reader Questions:

Mark Preference for Newspaper Reading

Question: One of my residents is unwilling to communicate their preferences for the interview for daily and activity preferences (Section F), so I am talking to their direct care staff, as well as including my own observations to fill out F0800 (Staff Assessment of Daily and Activity Preferences). This resident likes to look over a newspaper at breakfast, but I don’t know whether they’re actually reading it. Do I still include this in F0800L (Reading books, newspapers, or magazines)?

Maine Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you don’t need to ascertain whether the resident is reading or comprehending newspaper articles in order to document that they regularly peruse a newspaper. The RAI Manual says, on page F-16: “If the resident appears happy or content (e.g., is involved, pays attention, smiles) during an activity listed in Staff Assessment of Daily and Activity Preferences item (F0800), then that item should be checked.”