There are various laws in the United States that every person should be familiar with to provide legal protection against mistreatment. Its primary purpose is to safeguard nursing home residents from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Nursing home abuse has increased in recent years, and as a result, many new laws have been established in the previous 18 to 20 years to address the problem. As you may be aware, the Federal Government provides financing to responsible parties such as local governments and community organizations to monitor nursing homes’ conditions and impose penalties when the facilities and environment come up short of acceptable standards.
If you want to learn more about nursing home resident rules, you can speak with a West Palm Beach nursing home abuse lawyer who will be able to help you through the various federal and state laws governing nursing home patients and their families. These statutes inform us of the rights that each nursing home resident is endowed with. We’ve produced a list of some of the most fundamental rights that everyone should be familiar with.
Residents at nursing homes have some rights.
In 1987, Government approved the Nursing Home Reform Act. This legislation was designed solely to assure nursing home residents of high-quality services and basic amenities. Following the Nursing Home Reform Act, residents at nursing homes are granted the legal rights outlined below.
The right to personal liberty
This statute protects every patient of a nursing home against any form of abuse, whether physical or psychological. The residents are free, and they are not subjected to nursing home exploitation. Mistreatment and neglect are also unacceptable. Residents can file a claim against the nursing home personnel or against the individual who is mistreating or neglecting them with relative ease.
Nursing home residents have a legal right to ensure that they live comfortably and without fear in their care homes, as stipulated by the law. Because of the rising occurrence of nursing home abuse, this right protects every elderly loved one from the inappropriate behaviour of nursing staff, which can negatively influence your loved one’s health.
Right to complete and total privacy.
Nobody at the resident’s home is allowed to intrude on your personal space because it is against the law. Even if someone tries to interfere with your affairs or snoop into your wardrobe or any other unique area, you have the right to sue them for their actions. You have the right to keep your belongings private, and no member of the staff at a resident’s home is permitted to touch them without your permission. Nobody will interfere with your use of the bathroom or your room, and you are free to get on with your own.
The right to be accommodated in terms of medical and social requirements
When you want medical treatment, you can receive it in the comfort of your own home. It is possible to request that doctors or social workers visit you at the nursing home, and no one will refuse your request. You have the right to request reasonable accommodations for medical care and any other social requirements. In nursing facilities, you can order medications any day or night. You don’t have to be afraid to express your needs.
Communication with family and friends is guaranteed by law.
According to the Nursing Home Reform Act, you are free to contact your friends and family members in nursing homes. There will be no interruptions in your conversation with any team member. If you discover that nursing home employees are interfering with your ability to communicate with your loved ones, you must file a complaint with the appropriate authorities to have your rights protected under the law.
The right to receive proper treatment in a dignified manner
If your nursing home staff is not treating you with decency and is not providing sufficient care, you do not have to face the burden of all of this on your own. You have the right to file a lawsuit against them for their improper conduct. You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect without having your self-esteem harmed.
Participation in activities is a legal right.
You have the right to participate in various social and economic activities that can expand your intellect and provide you with enjoyment and fulfilment. If your loved one is organizing an action, you are welcome to participate, and no one will discourage you from doing so in a nursing home.
Conclusion
Living in a nursing home is not difficult if you know your rights, which are outlined above. The federal Government safeguards the rights of every nursing home patient to ensure that they are not subjected to abuse or mistreatment while in the facility. Furthermore, a West Palm Beach nursing home abuse lawyer can assist you if you choose to file a claim for the injustice you received while in a nursing home.
