How Much Do You Know About Your Nursing Home Rights?

When you have a loved one in a long-term care facility such as a nursing home or an assisted living facility, there is too much at stake not to ensure he or she has the best care possible.  We know that your elderly or disabled loved ones need the best care and representation possible. Our local team of medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience in handling cases just like yours in nursing homes.

As an advocate for yourself, or for a loved one, do you know what to be on the lookout for? Issues can arise in a number of different scenarios when you are in a skilled care facility. This can include, but not be limited to: 

– Financial abuse and elder exploitation

– Falls and fracture injuries

– Physical and emotional abuse and neglect

– Medication and prescription errors

– Bed sores and infections

– Dehydration and malnutrition

An important part of your case begins with knowing what your rights are. Did you know, according to Florida state statutes, all licensees of nursing home facilities must adopt and make public a statement of the rights and responsibilities of the residents? This statement needs to assure that each resident is protected and provided the following patient rights:

1. The right to civil and religious liberties
2. The right to private and uncensored communication
3. The right of access to the resident by individuals providing health, social, and legal services and the right of the resident to deny access to such individuals
4. The right to present grievances on his or her own behalf
5. The right to organize and participate in resident groups
6. The right to participate in social, religious, and community activities that do not interfere with the rights of other residents
7. The right to examine the results of the most recent inspection of the facility
8. The right to manage his or her own financial affairs
9. The right to be fully informed of services available in the facility and of related charges for such services
10. The right to be informed of his or her medical condition and proposed treatment
11. The right to refuse medication or treatment and to be informed of the consequences of such decisions
12. The right to receive adequate and appropriate health care and protective and support services
13. The right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs
14. The right to be free from mental and physical abuse
15. The right to be treated courteously, fairly, and with the fullest measure of dignity
16. The right to be transferred or discharged only for medical reasons
17. The right to freedom of choice in selecting a personal physician
18. The right to retain and use personal clothing and possessions
19. The right to have copies of the rules and regulations of the facility
20. The right to receive notice before the room of the resident is changed
21. The right to be informed of the bed reservation policy for a hospitalization for residents of Medicaid-certified or Medicare-certified facilities
22. The right to challenge a decision by the facility to discharge or transfer the resident

Have you received such a statement of the rights and responsibilities of the residents? Do you have any questions? Do you have questions about the care you or a loved one are receiving? We would encourage you not to wait to contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our experienced legal team now, or at any point in the future.