Why Is October Important For Nursing Home Rights?

According to the Durantdemocrat.com, for many years, October has been known as National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month. This month reminds us all of the importance of nursing home care. In 1987, congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA), which forever changed how nursing home residents are treated.

How Did the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 Improve Nursing Home Care?

OBRA ensures two things for residents of a nursing home:

• Quality of care: the law requires nursing homes to provide services that help “maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident,” according to the Durantdemocrat.com.
• Quality of life: nursing facilities must promote an environment that will improve a resident’s quality of life.

Most importantly, OBRA grants residents individual rights. These rights include:

• The right to individualized care.
• The right to respect.
• The right to dignity.
• The right to visitation.
• The right to privacy.
• The right to make complaints.
• The right to make choices.

Sadly, many people who move into a nursing home are unaware that they have rights in these facilities. Additionally, this law only sets the minimum standard a nursing home must abide by and some facilities still fail to follow it.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact our personal injury attorneys by calling (512) 474-8346.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney