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When individuals enter a nursing home or assisted living home, they keep all their rights as citizens, plus gain special "Residents’ Rights” under federal and state law. Facilities must post a copy of these rights in an area easily accessible to the residents, and must provide a copy to each resident upon admission.
Nursing home residents do not lose any of their rights of citizenship, including the right to vote, to religious freedom and to associate with whom they choose.
Residents of nursing homes are honored guests and have the right to be so treated.
Nursing home residents have the right to privacy whenever possible, including the right to privacy with their spouse, the right to have their medical and personal records treated in confidence, and the right to private, uncensored communication.
Nursing home residents have the right to possess and use personal property and to manage their financial affairs.
Nursing home residents have the right to be free from mental or physical abuse and from physical or chemical restraint unless ordered by their physician.
Residents have the right to equal care, treatment and services provided by the facility without discrimination.
Nursing home residents have the right to exercise their rights, including the right to file complaints and grievances without fear of reprisal.
Residents have the right to participate in their care conferences, be involved in planning their care on an ongoing basis, be informed in advance about care and treatment and any changes that affect their well-being. Residents also have the right to refuse care.
Residents have the right to organize and participate in resident groups in the facility and the facility must provide a resident or family group with a meeting space.
Residents have the right to refuse to perform services for the facility, unless they voluntarily have given agreement.
The facility must have a system for full, complete, and separate accounting of residents’ personal funds, and individual financial records must be made available upon the resident’s request.
Prior to admission, residents have the right to receive in writing, in an understandable language, a statement of the amount of any admission fees, deposits, pre-paid charges, or minimum stay fees required by the facility and what portion of these charges will be refunded in you leave the facility.
All refunds due are required to be refunded by the facility within thirty days from the resident’s discharge.
Residents may not be discharged without timely and proper notification to both the resident and the family or guardian. Residents have the right to remain in the facility, unless: 1) The transfer of discharge is necessary for a resident’s welfare and a resident’s needs cannot be met in the facility. 2) The safety of individuals in the facility is endangered. 3) The health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be endangered. 4) A resident has failed to pay for his or her stay. 5) The facility ceased to operate.