The Nursing Home Reform Law of 197 is the main law that protects senior citizens when they are residing in a nursing home. This law consists of 12 rights that all fall under elder law. The 12 rights are as follows:
· The right to be free of unnecessary restraints
· The right to know contact information of any assigned doctors
· The right to be informed of any changes in health or treatments
· The right to all person records
· The right to a written description of their legal rights
· The right to know the services offered by the facility
· The right to privacy, which includes an area to make private phone calls and an area to meet with visitors privately
· The right to share a room with a spouse, speak with other resident without the presence of a staff member, and the right to meet with a nursing home agency representative
· The right to eat, sleep, dress, self-administer medication, and have free time
· The right to have personal possessions with them and for those items to be protected
· The right to refuse or appeal a relocation without notice
· The right to be free of interference, manipulation, discrimination, or reprisal.
Elder laws offers more information about laws to protect elders.
