Your Rights in an Ohio Nursing Home

The decision to place an older family member in a nursing home is a very emotional one. You may have had every intention to care for your parent or other older relative at home, but he or she has medical needs that are beyond your level of expertise or requires constant monitoring that you are simply unable to provide. Whatever the reason for placing your family member in a nursing home, you deserve the assurance of knowing that he or she is being cared for properly. The following are just five of the more than 30 rights your loved one is entitled to according to the Ohio Nursing Home Residents Bill of Rights:

• The right to live in a safe and clean environment
• The right to be free from verbal, physical or sexual abuse as well as neglect of care
• The right to privacy during medical examinations
• The right to private conversation, including letters, email and telephone calls
• The right to be free from physical restraints

The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 gave nursing home residents even more rights. While the above lists focuses more on how the nursing home resident lives, the 1987 provisions have greater emphasis on minimum training standards for nursing home workers. The law implemented uniform safety standards for all nursing homes in the United States.

Sadly, abuse of the elderly in nursing homes is far too common. The stress of low pay and long work hours causes some workers to hurt the very people they should be protecting. If you suspect that your older family member has been hurt by nursing home staff, contact the law office of Nager, Romaine and Schneiberg Co., LPA. We are a Cleveland, Ohio team of experienced nursing home neglect lawyers who are available for a free consultation now.