Protect Residents Rights Family Rights in Long Term Care Facilities
CareWatchers is an organization that advocates for protecting residents’ rights, quality of life and care in nursing homes, adult family homes and in assisted living facilities. CareWatchers also advocates for the rights of family in nursing homes. Family rights are important in the care of residents. CareWatchers is supportive of the resident council, family council and long-term care ombudsman. We also sponsor a elder housing placement and referral service that is free to the consumer.
The CareWatchers website is approved by the National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, and Resident Council of Washington.
The purpose of this website is to show you how to choose a nursing home that protects residents’ rights and provides quality care. To help prospective residents their families and friends understand the importance of the resident council, family council and long term care ombudsman in helping you care for your loved one.
Nursing home rights are vital to all residents, because without rights in nursing homes there would be more abuse, neglect and poor care. Under the bill of rights every person is entitled to certain rights, whether the person is living in a nursing home or living at home. The residents’ bills of rights are just as powerful and important as the bill of rights; the rights of residents protect their health, safety, and welfare in long term care facilities.
The resident council, family council and long term care ombudsman mandated by federal and state law is the essential elements needed to choose a nursing home that provides quality care and protects residents' rights. CareWatchers knows it is necessary for prospective residents and their families to have the best nursing home rights information available because choosing a nursing home is one of the most difficult tasks a family member will ever face.
It takes time, patience's and is definitely a process when trying to choose a nursing home that protects residents’ rights and provides quality care. It is important for you as a nursing home seeker to understand the rights of the resident council, family council and long term care ombudsman before you choose a nursing home. Also see our nursing home fact sheet, choosing long term care, and our blog for the latest long term care news.
Resident Council
The resident council serves in an advisory capacity to the respective administrator and/or director in all matters related to policy and operational decisions affecting resident care and life in the nursing home. The resident council has rights, and these resident council rights have been mandated by federal and state law. If the nursing home does not have a resident council in place, it would be a good idea to talk with the family council or long term care ombudsman before you choose a nursing home. The resident council plays an important role in whether 80% of the residents receive quality care, if possible have your loved one join the resident council.
Family Council
The family council is an advocate for the residents and works independent of the nursing home, and is usually run by the resident's family members. The family council has rights, family rights and these family council rights have been mandated by federal and state law.
Have the nursing home give you their contact information, they will be happy to give you an honest assessment of the nursing home. Where there is a strong family council there is usually a strong resident council, which equates to quality care. It is important for you to know what the rights of family are in nursing homes, join the family council.
Volunteer Ombudsman Program
The volunteer ombudsman program needs volunteer ombudsmen to help protect residents’ rights and family rights in long term care facilities. The volunteer ombudsman program is also mandated by federal and state law. The certified ombudsman is an advocate for residents whose their role is to inform residents, their representatives and others about their rights, and offer and provide services to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of all residents. The volunteer ombudsman identifies, investigates and resolves complaints. Join the volunteer ombudsman program they are needed in every state.
Long Term Care Ombudsman
The long term care ombudsman program was mandated to protect resident's rights, quality of life and care in long term care facilities which includes nursing homes, adult family homes, boarding homes and veteran homes. They are the resident’s first and last line of defense. As a consumer, make sure you contact your Ombudsman before choosing a nursing home; they can provide you nursing home free information. Ask the Ombudsman about the nursing home's last state survey. Find out how important it is to the resident’s care that the nursing home has a strong resident and family council.