Residents’ Rights are guaranteed by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. The law requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each resident” and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity and self-determination. Nursing homes must meet federal residents’ rights requirements if they participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Some states have residents’ rights in state law or regulation for nursing homes, licensed assisted living, adult care homes, and other board and care facilities. A person living in a long-term care facility maintains the same rights as an individual in the larger community.
For more copies of this summary or for a complete copy of the law, 42 U.S.C. Section 1396r©, please contact the Sonoma County Ombudsman Program at 707-526-4108.
