LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS PENNY CLARK

STATE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN

THE PURPOSE OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS

TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE WILL LOSE THE RIGHTS

THAT WE ALL ENJOY AS CITIZENS OF THE UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA, IN THE EVENT WE ENTER A

NURSING HOME.

RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS ARE IN BOTH THE STATE & THE FEDERAL LAW.

IF YOU HAD TO MOVE INTO A LONG TERM CARE FACILITY TODAY, HOW WOULD THAT CHANGE YOUR LIFE? WHAT WOULD YOU MISS THE MOST?

WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS?

THE RIGHT TO BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE OF CHANGES

THE RIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION

THE RIGHT TO MAKE INDEPENDENT CHOICES

THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

THE RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS

THE RIGHT TO DIGNITY, RESPECT AND FREEDOM

THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM RESTRAINTS

THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ABUSE

THE RIGHT TO MANAGE OWN FUNDS AND PROPERTY

RIGHTS REGARDING TRANSFER AND DISCHARGE

THE RIGHT TO RAISE CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS

HOW CAN STAFF SUPPORT RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS

. ASK RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR WISHES, ENCOURAGE CHOICE, AND LISTEN TO WHAT RESIDENTS TELL YOU

. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED SOLELY ON WHAT IS “BEST” FOR THE RESIDENT

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT’S WIFE WANTS TO KNOW WHY HER

HUSBAND’S ROOMMATE IS GONE AND STAFF

EXPLAIN THAT HE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR

SURGERY AND IS STILL RECOVERING THERE

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENTS WANT TO HOLD THEIR RESIDENT COUNCIL

MEETING WITHOUT A STAFF PERSON PRESENT, BUT

THE ACTIVITY DIRECTOR EXPLAINS THAT THERE MUST

BE A STAFF PERSON PRESENT TO TAKE MINUTES

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

STAFF OPEN ALL OF THE RESIDENTS’ MAIL FOR THEM,

IN ORDER TO MAKE IT EASIER

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT’S DAUGHTER ASKS STAFF NOT TO INFORM

MOTHER OF THE BIOPSY HER DOCTOR HAS

SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT’S SON TELLS THE STAFF TO GRIND UP THE

MEDICINE AND MIX IT UP IN HER FOOD

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

STAFF REFUSE THIS REQUEST, BUT SON POINTS OUT

HE IS HIS MOTHER’S POA FOR HEALTHCARE

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT DOESN’T WANT TO WEAR HIS DENTURES OR

HEARING AID, BUT WIFE INSISTS THAT STAFF PUT THEM IN

ANYWAY

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

FOR THE PAST MONTH, RESIDENT HAS REFUSED TO

TAKE A BATH - STAFF TELL HIM HE HAS TO OR HE’LL

HAVE TO LEAVE THE FACILITY

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

A RESIDENT REFUSES TO TAKE HER MEDICINE AND THE

NURSE TELLS HER SHE MUST BECAUSE THE DOCTOR

ORDERED IT

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

SON TELLS FACILITY NOT TO ALLOW DAD’S

“GIRLFRIEND” TO VISIT HIM

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT IS REFUSING TO EAT, SO HER DAUGHTER PRIES HER MOUTH

OPEN AND FORCES THE FOOD IN

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT SAYS HE HAS THE RIGHT TO WATCH TV ALL

NIGHT IF HE WISHES

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

RESIDENT PUSHES THE CALL LIGHT FREQUENTLY FOR

ASSISTANCE, SO THE STAFF MOVE IT OUT OF HIS

REACH

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

STAFF MEMBER CALLS ALL THE RESIDENTS “GRANDMA” AND

“GRANDPA”

COULD THIS BE A VIOLATION OF RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

A NURSE REQUIRES THE AIDES ON THE NIGHT SHIFT TO

GET UP ALL OF THE RESIDENTS THAT REQUIRE TOTAL

ASSISTANCE AND GET THEM DRESSED BEFORE THE DAY

SHIFT COMES ON DUTY

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES THE FACILITY & STAFF HAVE REGARDING

RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS?

PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS

• EDUCATE RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT THEIR

RIGHTS.

• EDUCATE AND SENSITIZE EVERY LEVEL OF STAFF ABOUT

RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS.

• INCORPORATE RESIDENT PARTICIPATION AND SELF-

DETERMINATION INTO EVERY ASPECT OF NURSING HOME

SERVICES.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO SLEEP UNTIL 10:00 A.M. AND THEN HAVE

A FULL BREAKFAST WITH BACON AND EGGS.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO TAKE MY BATH AT MIDNIGHT.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO HAVE FRESH LOBSTER EVERY NIGHT FOR

SUPPER.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO HAVE PRIVATE TIME WITH MY WIFE WHEN

SHE COMES TO VISIT, BUT I HAVE A ROOMMATE.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO KEEP MY 30 STUFFED ANIMALS ON MY

BED.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO GO DOWN TO THE TAVERN AND HAVE A

BEER ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO GO TO THE CASINO.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

I WANT TO EAT ALL OF MY MEALS IN MY ROOM.

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QUESTIONS?

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR IF I CAN EVER BE OF ASSISTANCE TO YOU, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO

CONTACT ME!

YOU CAN REACH ME AT 1-800-942-7830 OR 402-471-9345