What Are the Rights of Nursing Home Residents?

Nursing home residents have certain rights and protections under both state and federal law. The nursing home must list and give all new residents a copy of these rights.

These resident rights include, but aren’t limited to:

• The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
• The right to be informed in writing about services and fees before you enter the nursing home.
• The right to manage your own money or to choose someone else you trust to do this for you.
• The right to privacy, and to keep and use your personal belongings and property as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights, health, or safety of others.
• The right to be informed about your medical condition, medications, and to see your own doctor. You also have the right to refuse medications and treatments.
• The right to have a choice over your schedule (for example, when you get up and go to sleep), your activities and other preferences that are important to you.
• The right to an environment more like a home that maximizes your comfort and provides you with assistance to be as independent as possible.