The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act, enacted in 1987, protects the rights and well-being of elderly residents in assisted living facilities across the United States.
This Act establishes comprehensive guidelines and standards that nursing homes must meet to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding.
These regulations encompass various aspects of care, including:
- Resident rights
- Quality of life
- Care planning
- Staffing requirements
- Resident health and safety
- Comprehensive assessments
One of the primary objectives of the Act is to ensure that skilled nursing facility employees treat residents with dignity, respect, and freedom from abuse or neglect.
To achieve this, the Act:
- Safeguards the rights of residents
- Creates a grievance process for residents
- Enables residents to participate in their care decisions
- Provides residents with access to their medical records
- Emphasizes the importance of individualized care plans
Additionally, the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act sets forth staffing requirements to ensure nursing homes have an adequate number of qualified and trained personnel to provide quality care.
It mandates regular assessments and care planning processes to monitor residents’ health conditions and address their needs.
The Act also prioritizes resident safety, with provisions for infection control, fire safety, and accident and fall prevention.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and state regulatory agencies enforce the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
These entities conduct regular inspections and investigations to ensure long-term care centers comply with the Act’s requirements.
If you suspect the facility where your loved one resides is not in compliance with the Act, reach out to a Toledo nursing home attorney experienced with handling emotional and mental neglect cases.
