People in nursing homes and assisted living facilities keep all their basic Residents' Rights. These rights are guaranteed by federal law for nursing homes and by Colorado state rules for assisted living facilities. They ensure residents receive good care and are treated with dignity, respecting their choices and well-being.
Some of these rights are:
The Right to Be a Citizen
You keep all your rights as a citizen, like the right to vote, practice your religion, and choose who you spend time with.
The Right to Be Treated with Respect
You have the right to be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity.
The Right to Privacy
You have the right to privacy whenever possible. This includes private time with your spouse, keeping your medical and personal information private, and communicating freely without anyone checking on it.
The Right to Your Own Belongings
You have the right to keep and use your personal things and to manage your own money.
The Right to Information
You have the right to know about the facility's rules and the costs of the services you receive. You also have the right to be part of decisions about your medical care, including the right to say no to treatment.
The Right to Be Free
You have the right to be free from any kind of mental or physical harm. You also have the right to be free from physical restraints (like straps) or certain medications (chemical restraints) unless your doctor specifically orders them.
The Right to Fair Care
You have the right to get the same good care, treatment, and services from the facility, without being treated differently from anyone else.
The Right to Live There
You have the right to live at the facility unless you break rules that everyone knows about. You can't be made to leave without proper and timely notice given to you and your family or guardian.
The Right to Speak Up
You have the right to use all your rights, including the right to make complaints or express concerns without worrying about getting in trouble for it.