48 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • MAY 16, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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Knowledge is Power
Understanding the rights of nursing home residents
An estimated 1.4 million older adults
and people with disabilities live in nursing
homes, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. If a nursing
home participates in Medicare or
Medicaid - and most do - it must meet
requirements “to promote and protect the
rights of each resident.”
Th is means nursing homes are required
to care for their residents in a way that
enhances the quality of life for residents,
respects their dignity and ensures they are
able to make choices for themselves.
Established by federal law, the
“Residents’ Bill of Rights,” states if you
live in a nursing home, you are entitled to
rights including:
• Th e right to be fully informed in a language
you understand of all aspects of
your residency.
• Th e right to participate in all aspects of
your care.
• Th e right to make independent choices
based on your needs and preferences.
• Th e right to privacy and confi dentiality.
• Th e right to safe and appropriate transfer
and discharge, including the right to
appeal decisions.
• Th e right to visits from friends, family,
providers and other people of your
choosing.
• Th e right to participate in social, religious
and community activities.
• Th e right to organize and participate in
resident groups, oft en called resident
councils.
• Th e right to complain without fear of
repercussions.
• Th e right to be free from discrimination.
• Th e right to be free from abuse, neglect
and restraint.
• Th e right to adequate medical care and
treatment.
• Th e right to get information about alternatives
to nursing homes.
Some states have laws and regulations
that establish additional rights for nursing
home residents. Some states also
guarantee a similar set of rights for people
who live in assisted living or similar
settings.
Every state, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and Guam have an advocate,
called a Long-Term Care Ombudsman,
for residents of nursing homes, board and
care and assisted living facilities and similar
residential care facilities. Th ese advocates
work to resolve problems aff ecting
residents’ health, safety, welfare and
rights. Residents, their families and others
have the right to contact their local
Ombudsman program to help them
understand their rights, learn about community
resources and work through problems.
For more information on these rights,
and to fi nd your local Ombudsman program,
visit acl.gov/ombudsman. Th e website
also provides information on other
programs and services available to help
older adults and people with disabilities
who need help with daily tasks, like
getting dressed, bathing or cooking, to
receive this support in their own homes.
Th ese programs can help delay or avoid
nursing home care, guide nursing home
residents looking to transition back into
the community and support family members
serving as caregivers.
Courtesy Family Features
/WWW.QNS.COM
/ombudsman
