Many Birmingham area families have had to make the agonizing decision of placing a loved one in a skilled nursing facility. As a person gets older, they often require additional care and support and can no longer live on their own. A nursing home offers the care they need in a safe and secure environment. Those who are residents of a nursing home should understand they have legal rights that protect them.
A nursing home is a place for a person to live who needs extra care in taking care of themselves. A nursing home is not a prison and it is important for nursing home residents and their families to understand that they do have legal rights. The following are some of the many legal rights a nursing home resident has:
- The right to see family members, physicians, service providers, and resident advocates
- Keep personal possessions
- Not be forced to leave a nursing home because they receive Medicare or Medicaid benefits. They must also receive the same treatment as those who do not receive these benefits.
- Right to have their clinical and personal records kept confidential
- Right to choose their own physician
- Right to refuse treatment and participate in their care and treatment
- Free from mental and physical abuse
- Not restrained or given medication to restrain them
- Right to participate in social and religious activities
- Right to file grievances
Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be a difficult decision for a family. A family places enormous trust in the nursing home that they will provide the necessary care for their loved one. If a family believes that their loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, they may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in personal injury. An attorney can investigate whether a nursing home resident has had their rights violated. They can demand compensation for the nursing home resident’s injuries and punish the individuals who have caused the abuse.
