Identifying Nursing Home Neglect
The Residents’ Bill of Rights
The Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) of 1987 has created several provisions for the care of elders in nursing homes and long term care facilities including the Residents’ Bill of Rights. If you believe your elder’s Residents’ Rights may have been violated, the experts at Muller Brazil can provide you with counsel.
According to the Residents’ Bill of Rights, your loved ones are entitled to:
- Freedom from abuse, mistreatment, neglect, and physical restraints
- Privacy
- Be treated with dignity
- Exercise self-determination
- Communicate freely
- Accommodation of medical, physical, psychological and social needs
- Participate in resident and family groups
- Participate in the review of one’s care plan
- Be fully informed in advance of any changes in care and treatment
Right to Dignity
Overt abuse and neglect may be the most obvious concerns that come to mind when you think of nursing home neglect. But did you know that both Pennsylvania and Federal law recognize a resident’s right to personal dignity? Personal dignity relates to an elder’s sense of worthiness. At the core, treating an elder with dignity means providing for the person’s physical needs through individualized care and respecting their identity and integrity.
Here are some ways that reputable nursing homes preserve an elder’s right to dignity:
- Individualized care
- Respecting a resident’s autonomy
- Advocating for the patient
- Sensitive listening
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