As illustrated by a recent New York Times cover story*, nursing homes throughout the country are rapidly adopting a “new” business model: attract lucrative short term patients paying through Medicare, and then throw them out once their Medicare coverage ends.
HAS INTERNAL LINKS Anyone who has been a victim of theft knows how violating it feels. For a nursing home resident, that loss is magnified, as personal possessions are often the only symbol of independence remaining.
Residents of nursing homes and their families have the right to access the resident’s medical records.1 Facilities and health care providers must provide medical records to the resident or family member within a short period of time, as specified by law.
One of the best ways to improve nursing home care is to organize and participate in a family council. A family council is an organized group of relatives and friends of residents who meet regularly to discuss and address concerns about quality of care in the nursing home.
The following checklist will give you, as an observer, a general idea of the quality of care provided in a nursing home.
All nursing homes in California must be licensed by the California Department of Public Health (DPH) and meet California nursing home standards.
Choosing a nursing home for a family member is most difficult in the best of times.
One of your most important rights as a nursing home resident is to receive the necessary care and services to “attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial well-being” in accordance with a written plan of care.
When you are admitted to a nursing home, you will be asked to sign an admission agreement that explains your rights and responsibilities and those of the nursing home.
HAS INTERNAL LINKS Residents of nursing homes have rights under both federal and state law. Nursing homes are required to inform residents of these rights and protect and promote their rights.