{"id":355767,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/elder\/elder-care-law\/rights-of-nursing-home-residents.html"},"modified":"2024-01-23T11:02:39","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T16:02:39","slug":"rights-of-nursing-home-residents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/elder-care-law\/rights-of-nursing-home-residents.html","title":{"rendered":"Rights of Nursing Home Residents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Rights of Nursing Home Residents<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Nursing home residents have specific legal rights. These include the right to certain standards of care, to be involved in treatment decisions, to be informed about potential sources of financial assistance, and other rights affecting day-to-day life in a nursing care facility.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/figure>

Nursing home residents have specific legal rights. These include the right to certain standards of care, the right to be involved in medical treatment decisions, and the right to be informed about potential sources of financial assistance.<\/p>\r\n

Knowing these rights can ensure better treatment and quality of care for residents. They can also help residents and their families face the costs and concerns of long-term residential care.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Laws Protecting Nursing Home Residents<\/h2>\r\n

Federal law protects many nursing home residents in long-term care facilities. During the 1980s, reports of nursing home abuse, neglect, and inadequate care prompted a wave of legislative action.<\/p>\r\n

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed the federal Nursing Home Reform Act<\/a>. This law does the following:<\/p>\r\n