It is true that a fisherman may fish and never catch any fish, but, if so, he is not much of a fisherman. And so, if there were no souls saved when I preached, perhaps I might find some way of satisfying my conscience, but I don’t know what it is yet. If my hearers are not converted, I feel like I have wasted my time; I have lost the exercise of brain and heart. I feel as if I lost my hope and lost my life, unless I find for my Lord some of His blood-bought ones.
C.H. Spurgeon

Residents of Nursing Homes ri

Residents of Nursing Homes ri

The Bill of Rights for Residents of Nursing Homes

All nursing homes must provide to each new resident a written statement of residents’ rights. The list of rights must include the following principles, provided by the Texas Attorney General’s Office in Austin.

  1. The rights of CITIZENSHIP. Nursing home residents do not lose any of their rights of citizenship, including the right to vote, to religious freedom, and to associate with whom they choose.
  2. The right to DIGNITY. Residents are honored guests and have the right to be so treated.
  3. The right to PRIVACY. Residents have the right to privacy when at all possible, including privacy with their spouses, the confidentiality of their medical and personal records, and private, uncensored communication.
  4. The right to PERSONAL PROPERTY. Residents have the right to possess and use personal property and to manage their financial affairs.
  5. The right of INFORMATION. Residents have the right to information, including regulations of the nursing home, costs for services rendered, and participation in decisions about any treatment, including the right to refuse treatment.
  6. The right of FREEDOM. Nursing home residents have the right to be free from mental and physical abuse, and from physical or chemical restraint unless ordered by their physician.
  7. The right to EQUAL CARE. Residents have the right to equal care, treatment, and services without discrimination.
  8. The right to CHOOSE. Residents have freedom of choice, including the right to choose their physician, pharmacists, and any participation in research or experiments.
  9. The right of RESIDENCE. Residents have the right to live at the home unless they violate publicized regulations. They may not be discharged without timely and proper notification to both the resident and the family or guardian.
  10. The right of EXPRESSION. Nursing home residents have the right to exercise their rights, including the filing of complaints and grievances without fear of reprisals.

A nursing home resident may not exercise any right, however, in such a way that it infringes upon the rights of other residents. Some policies may be more restrictive than those governing the way residents lived at home, and medical considerations may demand other restrictions. Such restrictions and the due process by which they can be applied must be in the “Rights of Residents.”