Answer
Residents in nursing homes are entitled to certain rights under the law. They are not only entitled to these rights but are promised these rights and must be protected by all nursing home staff and visiting ombudsmen.
The most important of these rights are explained here. They have the right to choose their own doctor and participate in their own treatment. No medical personal even doctors are godlike and know everything. This is an important right for the disabled and elderly to understand. A nursing home writes what they call a care plan. This is a group of plans to help the resident live an active and healthy life as much as their diagnosis will allow.
Each department in the home will have a representative at the original care plan meeting. This meeting should also involve the resident him or herself and at least one or more of the family members. These plans will usually involve time set goals and approaches towards those goals. For instance a diabetic who is intaking too much sugar may have a goal to cut down the sugar to a certain degree by a certain date and will also have ways that the staff and family can help the residents achieve those goals.
Residents also have the right to feel safe in the nursing home they live in. Most nursing homes are occupied by elderly people. These people have had to give up almost everything they have to live in a nursing home. Almost all their furniture, friends, and personal possessions are gone so the little they have left means the world to them. They need to feel that these items are safe and will not be stolen. Moreover they need to feel that if something should go missing that they can report it to the staff of the home without feeling that they will be punished for it.
Residents nursing home rights include the right to not be restrained for the ease of the staff. They have the right to participate in individual or group activities and or meetings. They also have the right to maintain personal funds in an interest bearing account if over a certain amount.
There are more specific rights among these but they all can be honored by remembering that nursing home residents are people and as such they must be shown respect, kindness, and care. They need to be a part of their own treatment and have a say in all decisions that affect them.
They have the right to pursue happiness through hobbies, games, crafts, and visits in whatever venue or field they choose. If they are physically unable to participate in activities that interest them the home must provide like alternatives or ways they can participate. There is always more than one way to enjoy a past interest. A good example would be a person who loved to read but has gone blind can either be taught to read Braille or have someone read to them.
Resident's nursing home rights are up to all of us. Remember that someday we may find ourselves in that position.
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