Nursing Home Patient Rights: Understanding Your Protections

The Significance of Nursing Home Patient Rights

As a nursing home patient, you have the legal right to receive high-quality care and to be treated with dignity and respect. These rights are enshrined in both state and federal laws and regulations meant to protect your health, safety, autonomy, and privacy. Unfortunately, many nursing home patients are not made aware of their rights, and/or are unable or without the knowledge to advocate for themselves if their rights are being violated.

Unfortunately, the Indiana nursing home industry has long been ranked among the worst in the U.S. in terms of quality of care rendered. This can lead to neglect or abuse, both of which are completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences for your health and well-being. It is critical that nursing home patients or family members responsible for their care be informed and able to act in the event a patient is receiving substandard care or otherwise having their legal rights infringed upon by a nursing home operator.

In this article, we will explore various rights that you are entitled to as a nursing home patient, and ways that you can protect and act upon those rights to help ensure that you are receiving the care, respect, dignity, compassion and treatment you deserve. At a minimum, all nursing facilities are required to ensure the following patient rights are upheld and respected.

I. The Right to be Treated with Respect and Dignity

As a nursing home patient, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity by all staff members, including doctors, nurses, and other care providers. This right is protected by federal regulations and is a fundamental aspect of the high-quality care that all nursing home patients are entitled to.

Under federal regulations, nursing home staff must treat all residents with consideration and respect, and must not use any form of physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This means that staff should never engage in activities such as verbal or physical intimidation, humiliation, or punishment. They should also never withhold food, water, or medications as a form of punishment or to exert control over a resident.

In addition to these protections, nursing home patients have the right to privacy and freedom from interference in their personal affairs. Staff must respect your privacy and maintain confidentiality when providing care and treatment, and must not interfere with your ability to communicate with family members, friends, or others outside the facility.

If you feel that your right to be treated with respect and dignity is being violated, it is important to speak up and report any issues to the appropriate staff or authorities. You can also contact your ombudsman or a lawyer for assistance in protecting your rights.

II. The Right to be Free from Abuse and Neglect

One of the most important rights that nursing home patients have is the right to be free from abuse and neglect. This means that you have the right to receive care that is free from physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation.

Current federal regulations establish that nursing homes must ensure that all residents are protected from abuse and neglect, and must investigate any allegations of mistreatment. Nursing home staff members are required to report any suspected incidents of abuse or neglect immediately to the appropriate authorities.

If you believe that you are experiencing abuse or neglect, it is important to speak up and report the issue to the nursing home staff, your ombudsman, or authorities as soon as possible. Signs of abuse or neglect may include unexplained bruises, bedsores, weight loss, poor hygiene, or sudden changes in behavior.

It is also important to know that you have the right to be free from physical or chemical restraints that are not medically necessary. Nursing homes must obtain consent before using any restraints, and must only use them when necessary to protect a patient’s safety or the safety of others.

By knowing and asserting your right to be free from abuse and neglect, you can ensure that you are receiving the care and treatment that you deserve as a nursing home patient. If you are experiencing mistreatment, it is important to take action and seek help to protect your safety and well-being.

III. The Right to Self-Determination

Under federal regulations, nursing homes must respect the autonomy and individuality of each resident and must support their right to make choices about their care and treatment, while also keeping them safe. This means that nursing home staff should involve residents and/or their responsible family members in decisions about their care and treatment, and should provide them with the information and support they need to make informed decisions.

You have the right to participate in social, religious, and community activities, and to maintain your personal relationships and connections outside of the nursing home. You also have the right to make choices about your daily routine, such as when you wake up, when you go to bed, and what you eat.

If you have concerns about your ability to make decisions or participate in activities, it is important to communicate your concerns to the nursing home staff. You may be able to work with the staff to develop strategies or accommodations that can help you maintain your independence and autonomy. You can also discuss concerns you have with an ombudsman if the staff members are not adequately addressing your concerns.

IV. The Right to Participate in Your Care

As a nursing home resident, you have the right to be an active participant in your care and treatment. This means that you have the right to receive care that is tailored to your individual needs and preferences, and that you have the right to be involved in decisions about your care.

Nursing homes are required to provide each resident with the necessary care and services to attain or maintain their highest level of well-being. This includes providing care that is consistent with the resident’s care plan, as well as providing appropriate assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and toileting.

You have the right to be informed about your care and treatment, and to participate in decisions about your treatment plan. This includes the right to be informed about any potential risks or side effects associated with your care or treatment.

If you have concerns about your care or treatment, it is important to communicate your concerns to the nursing home staff. You may also wish to involve your family members or other trusted individuals in discussions about your care and treatment.

V. The Right to Information and Communication

Along with all of the previously mentioned rights, you have the right to receive clear and accurate information about your care, treatment, and health status. This includes the right to be informed about your medical conditions, medications, and treatments.

Under federal regulations, nursing homes are required to provide residents with information about their care and treatment in a way that is understandable and accessible. This means that nursing home staff should use plain language and avoid medical jargon when communicating with residents.

You also have the right to access your medical records and to have your health information kept confidential. This means that your health information should only be shared with individuals who have a legitimate need to know, and that your health information should be protected from unauthorized disclosure.

If you have concerns about the information you are receiving or the way in which it is being communicated to you, it is important to speak up and ask for clarification, or address the issue with an ombudsman. You may also wish to involve family members or other trusted individuals in discussions about your care and treatment.

VI. The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality

As a nursing home resident, you have the right to privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of your care and treatment. This means that you have the right to keep personal information about yourself confidential, and to be free from unwanted intrusions into your personal life.

Nursing homes are required to respect the privacy of residents, including the right to private visits with family and friends, the right to receive personal mail, and the right to make personal phone calls. Nursing home staff should also ensure that residents have access to private and secure areas to receive medical treatment or personal care.

You have the right to keep personal information about yourself confidential, and to be informed about who has access to your medical records or other personal information. You also have the right to participate in decisions about the use of your personal information, and to be free from unwanted marketing or solicitation.

If you have concerns about your privacy or confidentiality, it is important to speak up and express your concerns to the nursing home staff. You may also wish to involve family members or other trusted individuals in discussions about your privacy and confidentiality. By knowing and asserting your right to privacy and confidentiality, you can ensure that your personal information is protected, and that you are able to maintain your personal dignity and autonomy. If you are experiencing any issues related to this right, you should consider addressing your concerns to an ombudsman.

VII. The Right to Make Complaints

If any of the above rights are violated, then you also have the right to make complaints without fear of retaliation or discrimination. This means that you have the right to speak up about any issues you may be experiencing, and to have those concerns addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Under state and federal regulations, nursing homes are required to establish procedures for receiving and responding to complaints made by residents or their representatives. This means that you should have access to a grievance process that allows you to raise concerns about any aspect of your care or treatment, including issues related to staff behavior, living conditions, or medical treatment.

You have the right to receive a prompt response to your complaints, and to have your concerns addressed in a way that is respectful and appropriate. This may involve an investigation into your complaint, or changes to the way in which your care is provided.

If you are not satisfied with the response to your complaint, you also have the right to contact and ombudsman or outside agencies or advocacy organizations for assistance. These organizations may be able to provide support and guidance, or to assist you in filing a complaint with regulatory agencies. You can also file a complaint with the state licensing agency. If you need to file a complaint against an Indiana nursing home, you can learn more here.

VIII. How to Protect Yourself if Your Rights are Violated

While nursing home residents have a variety of rights and protections under state and federal regulations, unfortunately, too often nursing homes brazenly ignore trample patient rights. If you believe that your rights have been violated, it is important to take action to protect yourself and to notify the proper authorities.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and to report any violations:

Document any violations: If you believe that your rights have been violated, make a detailed record of what happened, including the date and time of the incident, the individuals involved, and any other relevant details. This documentation can be helpful if you need to report the violation to outside agencies.
Speak with staff: If you feel comfortable doing so, speak with the staff members involved in the incident to express your concerns and to seek a resolution. In some cases, this may be enough to address the issue.
Contact the ombudsman: Each nursing home is required to have an ombudsman, who is an advocate for residents. You can contact the ombudsman to report any violations or concerns you may have about your care and treatment.
File a complaint with regulatory agencies: If you believe that your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the appropriate regulatory agency. This may involve contacting the state agency responsible for overseeing nursing homes, or the federal agency that oversees nursing home compliance. Learn more about filing a complaint against an Indiana nursing home.
Seek legal assistance: If you have experienced serious harm or injury as a result of a violation of your rights, you may wish to contact a legal professional who can provide guidance and representation. It is important that you find a highly experienced and qualified nursing home abuse/neglect lawyer.

Learn More

To learn more about how patients, families, and healthcare providers can hold nursing homes accountable, read “Abuses and Excuses: How To Hold Bad Nursing Homes Accountable.” This valuable resource can be found on sale at here at Amazon.com.

Find additional information on nursing home abuse in our nursing home information section.