Nursing Home Residents’ Rights

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Nursing Home Residents’ Rights

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

When you or a loved one is staying in a nursing home, it’s not unreasonable to expect quality, compassionate care from the staff on-site. Sadly, this is not always the case, which is why Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are there to help those who have been victims of rights violations while in a nursing care facility. The Nursing Home Care Act, or NHCA, outlines the rights residents of these facilities have, and can help you figure out if you have a legitimate complaint about the care you or someone you know has received.

Basic Rights

The act outlines basic rights that residents in nursing homes can expect when they stay in a facility. It includes rights to quality care, rights to dignity and privacy, freedom from restraint and discrimination, rights to a good quality of life, and more. The act also outlines the right to be free from abuse or negligence while staying in a nursing home. Sadly, many nursing home staff are overworked or under a lot of stress, or are simply not cut out for the job and as such, patients may suffer. If you are unsure if something you have experienced constitutes abuse or neglect, a nursing home lawyer will be able to help decipher the details of the situation and give you advice on how to proceed.

Rights You May Not Be Aware Of

Some residents in nursing homes may not reports grievances or file complaints at a facility because they fear they will be forced to leave the facility. One of the rights outlined in the NHCA states that a resident has the right to report complaints without threat of discharge or retaliation.  Another right that you may not know about is that residents in nursing care do not have to wear identification bracelets unless a physician documents it as a necessity. If a facility institutes the use of ID bracelets on all residents, it may be a sign that they are also ignoring other rights outlined in the NHCA. These are just a few of the rights set forth in the NHCA, and if you have any questions about potential neglect or abuse in a nursing home, Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys have the answers to your questions and can help you proceed.