Happy National Senior Citizens Day!

Fun fact! The very first National Senior Citizens Day was held in 1991. It is celebrated every year on August 21st. This nationwide day was created with the intention to spread awareness of issues related to the elderly population, including physical deterioration, abuse, and to recognize this stunning group of people. Cozy Living Community have chosen to celebrate this day by recognizing and promoting residents’ rights within assisted living facilities. 

Let’s be honest, we walk pass this long roman numeral list posted on our facility walls every day, but how often do we stop to read? If you were offered $50 right now, to explain, just 5 of the rights on the list, could you? Sadly, for many of us, probably not. We often forget how important this long daunting list really is. In case you are a little slow to catch up. I’m talking about the Resident’s Bill of Rights. Did you know that the law requires that all assisted living facilities protect and promote this list? It is a required posting, which explains why we walk past it every day. This posting should be written in the primary language of each resident. Yep, including Russian, that is, if you have a Ukrainian resident. All staff members must read, understand, and follow the Resident’s Bill of Rights when caring for assisted living residents. So, shame on all of you if you didn’t get $50. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. My goal is by the end of this read, you will be ready for that weird guy walking around, asking about the Bill of Rights, and carrying a large stash of 50-dollar bills. To make it simple, I have summed up the rights into eight short concepts.

   1. Be free from physical and mental abuse.

Every Resident has the right to be free from any and all abuse including but not limited to corporal punishment, neglect, exploitation and let us not forget physical and chemical restraints. Yeah, some of our residents, not to mention staff, can get out of line from time to time but restraining a client for the purpose of discipline or convenience is considered abuse! It’s also a little disrespectful and slightly insane. Restraints, whether physical or chemical may only be used if it is authorized in writing by a physician or it is necessary to protect the resident or others from injury in an emergency situation. The physician's order must contain specific circumstances under which the restraint may be used as well as the duration of application.

   2. Participate in activities.

Residents have the right to participate in any activity of their choosing. Activities include all social, religious, or community groups inside and outside of the facility. Participation in these activities must not interfere with the rights of other individuals residing in the facility. 

   3. Treated with Respect.

Residents should be treated with dignity and respect, while acknowledging their individuality. Provide privacy and confidentiality with their care and service.

   4. Unrestricted Communication.

All residents have the right to unrestricted communication and should not be prohibited from communicating in his or her native language. They should be able to freely receive and send unopened mail and have unaccompanied access to a telephone. This right also allows residents to complain about their care; with quick action to resolve the complaint.

   5. Make independent choices.

This means that the resident has the right to make his/her own choices regarding personal affairs, care, benefits, and services. Yes, if your resident wants to wear an old wedding dress with pigtails. Get over it. He or she has the right to do so.

   6. Manage his or her financial affairs.

The resident may authorize in writing another person to manage his/her money.

   7. Access to personal possessions and resident's records.

Residents have the right to retain and use personal possessions, including clothing and furnishings, as space permits. 

   8. Not be transferred or discharged.

The resident has the right not to be transferred or discharged unless services are no longer needed; their safety or health is in jeopardy, or the resident fails to pay for services. The facility must provide a written notice to the resident, resident family, or residents legal representative 30 days prior to discharge. The written notice must include the facilities intention to transfer/discharge, the reason for discharge/transfer, and the effective date of discharge/transfer.

Now that we have reviewed resident’s Bill of Rights. Has anyone seen that weird guy?

Inecia Stewart, MSN, CCRN, RN-BC