Deciding to move to an assisted living community in Highland Springs, VA is not easy. It means entrusting someone else with the responsibility of caring for your health and well-being. There are many reasons why you might have to consider moving to a retirement community. That includes when your loved ones are busy running other errands or when you require specialized assistance such as memory care.
Nonetheless, no one intends to move to a long-term care center only to be subjected to ill treatment. Sadly, there are occasional cases of abuse against older adults in assisted living communities. Such cases are unacceptable. Even so, you should be familiar with the rights of older adults in assisted living communities to easily point out when your rights are being violated. Here is a detailed breakdown of your rights as a resident of a long-term care center.
Right to Protection from Abuse and Unfair Treatment
Assisted living communities to undertake to look after your aging loved one on your behalf. Therefore, they should be committed to providing a safe and secure environment to their loved ones. In the same vein, the team members should ensure that older adults get fair treatment and are exempted from any form of abuse. Every resident should be treated equally with every aspect of their life being cared for sufficiently.
Right to Regular Cleaning and Hygiene Maintenance
Residents of an assisted living center are entitled to live in an environment that is clean and hygienic. Their clothing and bodies should be kept tidy as well for elders that cannot do it on their own. Before leaving in the hands of caregivers, you will be required to specify the level of assistance in terms of cleaning and maintenance that an older adult requires. It is up to the care providers to ensure that the needs and requirements of the residents are met adequately. Failing to do that is a violation of their rights.
Right to Assistance with Restroom Use, Walking, and Eating
There are numerous reasons why someone would choose to move his or her aging relative to an assisted living center. Mostly it is because older adults have more needs that require close attention and personal care.
Elders with physical disabilities or mobility issues need help walking. Others should be assisted to eat while others deserve to be helped concerning restroom use. When such services are not provided to the elderly residents that need them then it amounts to maltreatment and abuse of their rights.
Right to Social Engagement
Residents of assisted living communities deserve to be engaged socially. The management should come up with different events and activities that promote interaction among the residents. Additionally, the activities should encourage interaction between the residents and their friends and family members.
Being denied social engagement will not only lead to right violation but also culminate in isolation and loneliness. Feeling alone and neglected triggers stress and depression which goes against the initial intention of moving to the assisted living home in the first place.
Know Your Rights
Now that you know your rights as a resident of an assisted living community, it should be easy to take note of any instance when your rights are violated. In case your rights are violated, you need to seek legal assistance or inform the necessary authorities.
