The elderly represent the fastest-growing segment of our population. More and more people rely on nursing homes and assisted living facilities for care. We trust that nursing homes and assisted living facilities will provide adequate care for our loved ones.
Unfortunately, these facilities often fail to provide adequate care. Whether it is the result of under-staffing, improperly trained staff, failure to initiate a proper care plan, failure to carry out treatment orders, or just laziness, our loved ones' health can be placed in jeopardy as a result of receiving an insufficient level of care.
Resident’s Bills of Rights
Florida law provides a list of rights that a resident should expect to receive while staying at a nursing home or an assisted living facility. If the facility violates one of these rights, you may have a claim against the facility for nursing home negligence. One of the most important rights of a resident is the right to receive adequate and appropriate health care. Failure to provide adequate and appropriate healthcare is the main reason residents are injured. Florida law affords residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities the following rights:
- The Right to be Free from Physical or Mental Abuse
- The Right to Receive Adequate and Appropriate Health Care and Protective and Support Services
- The Right to be Treated Courteously, Fairly, and with the Fullest Measure of Dignity
- The Right to be Informed of His or Her Medical Condition and Proposed Treatment
- The Right to Refuse Medical Treatment and to be Informed on the Consequences
- The Right to Present Grievances
- The Right to Civil and Religious Liberties
- The Right to Private and Uncensored Communication
- The Right to Organize or Participate in Resident Groups
- The Right to Examine the Results of the Most Recent Inspection Report
- The Right to Manage His or Her own Financial Affairs
- The Right to Participate in the Planning of All Medical Treatment
- The Right to Have Privacy in Treatment and Caring for Personal Needs
- The Right to Freedom of Choice in Selecting a Personal Physician
- The Right to Have Copies of the Rules and Regulations of the Facility
- The Right to Receive Notice Before the Resident's Room Changes
- The Right to be Informed of the Bed Reservation Policy
If you believe that the rights of a loved one have been violated by a nursing home or an assisted living facility, contact Steven J. Litvack immediately for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
When you visit your loved one it is important to keep an eye out for any potential signs of neglect or abuse. Staff members are overworked and either do not notice the signs of neglect or choose to ignore the signs. Typically, family members are the residents' best advocates and can identify whether or not the resident is receiving adequate care. When visiting a loved one, pay attention to the following potential signs of neglect or abuse:
- Bedsores
- Soiled bed linen or the smell of feces or urine
- Unexplained bruises or cuts
- Use of physical or chemical restraints
- Changes in mood or disorientation, often due to improper medication
- Weight loss
- Unexplained fear or anxiety
If someone you care for has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, contact Steven J. Litvack for a FREE CONSULTATION.
