You Might be Surprised to Know How Much Power a Long-Term Care Resident Really has.....

The residents' bill of rights was executed by federal lawmakers to ensure nursing home residents are provided to receive the best quality of care. Long-term care residents have the right by federal law to live in a caring, supportive environment that is free of ill treatment, neglect and abuse. Nursing home residents have the right to live without the fear of enduring physical restraint or retaliation. Long-term care residents have the right to be treated with respect, dignity, and to be recognized as an individual.

Did you know?.......

~As a long-term care resident, you have the right to choose your attending physician and not have one assigned to you....as all nursing homes do.

~As a long term care resident, you have the right to be free from physical and/or chemical restraints meaning you have the authority to refuse psychotropic medications but the nursing will not inform you of this right.

~As a long-term care resident, you have the right to have 24 hour access to your family members and friends meaning the facility must ensure all visitors have full and equal visitation privileges and your right to refuse visitors. Nursing homes set visiting hours for residents attempting to dictate residents' access to visitors.

~As a long-term care resident, you have the right to fully participate in your plan of care meaning you must be notified of your comprehensive care plan meetings dates and times and given the opportunity to make decisions pertaining to your care and treatment. You have the right to refuse treatment and be free from retaliation. Nursing home resident have the right to invite anyone of their choice to attend their comprehensive care plan meeting. (family member, friend, MD, and an Ombudsman, etc.). Nursing homes will inform you they are required by regulations to invite you to your annual and significant change comprehensive care plan meetings...this is NOT true! A resident must be notified and invited to their comprehensive care plan meetings, quarterly, annually and if there is a significant change (positive or negative) in your care.