If a resident requests amendments to their care plan, what should the facility do?

• A. Deny the request
• B. Ignore
• C. Refer to legal counsel
• D. Review with the resident, document changes, and implement as appropriate

Answer: (D)

When a resident requests changes to their care plan, the facility should engage in a collaborative review with the resident (and any needed surrogate or team members) to understand the requested amendments, assess safety and feasibility, and determine what can be updated. The changes must then be documented in the care plan with clear dates, rationales, and who was involved, and subsequently implemented by the care team, adjusting schedules, orders, or services as needed. This approach honors the resident’s autonomy and keeps the plan a live, person-centered document that guides ongoing care and meets regulatory expectations. Denying, ignoring, or rushing to legal counsel without first exploring feasible updates would undermine the resident’s rights and the care process.