When it comes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the old statement “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you” may actually be true. The updated federal nursing home regulations issued this year are designed to protect residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities and ensure “person-centered care”.
This is the first comprehensive revision to the regulations since they were issued in 1991, the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care explains. The new rules are set to be implemented in three phases. The first phase became effective last month, and the second will go into effect November 2017, the third in November 2018.
With Rebecca Geyer playing an active role in three separate legislative advisory groups, we feel proud to have played a part in the ongoing effort to provide residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities with improved care and enhanced protections.
Some of the language used in the document is very positive, showing the intention to allow nursing home residents as much independent decision-making as possible:
- self-determination
- environment
- freedom from physical and chemical restraint
- quality of life
- dignity
At the same time, the intent is to protect residents from
- abuse
- adverse events
- exploitation
- misappropriation of property
- neglect
- sexual abuse
Each resident will have the right to a resident representative. Yet that representative will be allowed to exercise only those rights specifically delegated to him/her by the resident.
The general idea is clear: help and protect residents, but, wherever possible, consider the resident’s preferences!
– by Ronnie of the Rebecca W. Geyer blog team
