When a loved one enters a nursing home or assisted living facility, you expect compassion, safety, and respect. Pennsylvania law guarantees protections such as these through a clear set of resident rights. Knowing those rights is the first step to protecting your loved ones in long-term care.
Pennsylvania law clearly spells out the rights of residents of both assisted living and long-term care facilities. These are powerful legal protections which include the right to:
- Live free from abuse and neglect. Residents must never be subjected to verbal, physical, mental, sexual, or financial abuse—or neglected in any way.
- Make private phone calls. Every resident must have access to a phone for private conversations, with local calls provided free of charge.
- Practice their faith—or not. Religious freedom is protected, including the right not to practice any religion.
- Wear their own clothes. Clean, seasonal clothing must be provided if needed, and no resident’s clothing can be shared with others.
- Speak up—safely. Residents have the right to file complaints or suggest changes without fear of retaliation or discharge.
- Protect their money and property. Facilities must provide systems to safeguard residents’ personal funds and belongings. Residents are not required to deposit funds with the facility, and if they do, it must be voluntary and in writing.
- Be treated with dignity and respect. Every resident deserves an environment that honors their humanity.
There are many more rights, and when you have made the difficult decision of moving a family member into either a nursing home or assisted living facility, know that the facility is required give you this list. If they don’t offer it to you, ask for the list of “Resident’s Rights.”
Families Have Rights, Too—and a Critical Role to Play
Family involvement is more than a courtesy—it’s essential to quality care. Many of these facilities have a great deal of turnover in staffing, sometimes a new person on every shift. Every resident must have a “plan of care” while living there to meet their needs. It is even more important that family is aware of the plan and stays fully engaged in the care it requires.
Any spouse, child or one with a Power of Attorney for a resident has the legal right to review and obtain copies of a patient’s chart at any time. If the facility resists, it is a violation of state regulations. If you share your concerns with the facility’s management and are not satisfied with the response, you can report your concerns. For a nursing home you would call the Pennsylvania Department of Health hotline at 800-254-5164; if it’s an assisted living facility report the problem to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services at 800-490-8505.
If your loved one has been injured in a nursing home or assisted living facility in Pennsylvania and you suspect negligence, contact us. We offer decades of experience through a recognized leader in long-term care litigation cases and can provide the skilled legal guidance you need to seek justice.
Please contact us to learn more about how we can help you.