Nursing Home Family Council Rights - Protect Family Rights

Nursing home family council rights are powerful rights in nursing homes, these family council rights protect family rights. The nursing home family council unlike the resident council is an organization within the nursing home whose members are usually family of residents living in the nursing home. Any family member can participate in the family council.

Family members have rights in nursing homes, family rights are not governed by nursing homes, and federal law governs family rights. The long term care ombudsman is mandated to protect family rights and family council rights in nursing homes and all other long term care facilities. Protecting family rights in nursing homes play an important part in the care of residents.

The family council is an advocate for residents' rights and quality care, the family council provides a vehicle for family members and friends to voice their concerns and request improvements for all residents.

The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act guarantees the families of nursing home residents a number of important family rights to enhance a loved one's nursing home experience and improve facility- wide services and conditions.

Join and support the family council at your loved one's facility. If the nursing home doesn't have a family council, join with other family members to form one or contact your long term care ombudsman. Remember to join or form a family council is your right and the long term care ombudsman is there to protect family rights as well as residents' rights.

Facilities certified for Medicare and Medicaid must provide a meeting space, cooperate with the council's activities, and respond to the group's concerns. Nursing facilities must appoint a staff advisor or liaison to the family council, staff and administrators have access to council meetings only by invitation. While the federal law specifically references "families" of residents, close friends of residents can and should be encouraged to play an active role in family councils, too.

Specifically, the federal law includes the following requirements on family councils

(a) A resident’s family has the right to meet in the facility with the families of other residents in the facility.

(b) The facility must provide a family group, if one exists, with private space.

(d) The facility must provide a designated staff person responsible for providing assistance and responding to written requests that result from group meetings.

(e) When a family group exists, the facility must listen to the views and act upon the grievances and recommendation of residents and families concerning proposed policy and operational decisions affecting resident care and life in the facility.

If you are interested in forming a family council and need more information, contact your local Long Term Care Ombudsman State’s Ombudsman.

Steps to Connect With a Senior Care Facility

Below are nine senior care options that cover care facilities, independent living, and in-home care. Under each option, there is a short description outlining the care or service of the care option. Select the option that you feel best suits the needs of your loved one. If you're not sure, don't worry. It can be changed as you go through the process. Now that you have selected your care option-click the link "Select this option."

As you complete the form, please read it carefully. The information you provide the facility or care agency is key to a successful placement. Note, if you don't have your loved one's physician's report, just put their diagnosis as you believe it to be. Also, make sure their monthly care budget is what you have selected. In the comments box, enter any information you think would be helpful to the facility or care agency — Submit the form.

If you requested the facilities or care agencies to call you, expect up to four calls over the next twenty-four hours. They will answer any questions you may have about your loved one's care needs. From that point, if you are satisfied, you can set up a tour with one or all of them. Be prepared with a physician's report during the visit so that you can have an idea of the cost of care. If you choose to go forward after your visit, the facility will set up a time to assess your loved one.

Adult Day Care Centers

Adult day care centers focus on social interaction with adults and older persons. Adult day health care (ADHC) provides day care to adults with chronic medical conditions. Use our adult day care center placement and referral agency to find adult day care centers.

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Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities provide seniors more companionship and some assistance in day-to-day living. Assisted living facilities come in all sizes. Our assisted living facility placement and referral agency will help seniors find the right private pay assisted living community.

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Continuing Care Communities

Continuing care communities are a combination of memory care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. CCRC's are owned by private companies and staffed to provide a "continuum of care". There are three basic types of contracts for care in a CCRC.

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Hospice Care Facilities

Hospice care is more than a place of care, hospice is a unique kind of care for people with advanced illnesses. Hospice care is a specialized care that accepts dying as the final stage of life. Use our hospice care facility placement and referral agency to find hospice care facilities.

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Independent Living Communities

Independent living is simply any housing arrangement designed for seniors, generally those aged 55 and over. These communities are for seniors who need no care. Use our independent living community placement and referral agency to find independent living.

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In-Home Care Agencies

Home care and in-home care are sometimes referred to as home health care, home health and private duty. Our home care placement and referral agency will help clients find in-home care, home care, home health care and private duty home care close to you.

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Memory Care Facilities

Memory care is a term that refers to specialized care provided by some facilities to help elder/seniors and other individuals affected by memory impairment. Use our memory care facility placement and referral agency to find private pay memory care facilities.

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Residential Care Homes

Residential Care Homes are also known as adult family homes, adult family care homes, care homes, residential care facilities and personal care homes. Our residential care home placement and referral agency will help seniors find the appropriate senior care home.

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Skilled Nursing Facilities

Skilled nursing facilities are normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. Nursing homes provide custodial care, which includes getting in and out of bed. Use our skilled nursing facility placement and referral agency to help you find the right facility.

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