Abuse and violence towards aging adults are an increasing problem, as evidenced by private households and institutional settings reports. Many people also lack the legal capacity to make choices for their welfare, including healthcare, property, and economics. They often don’t get jobs, enough food, or safe places to live.
The issue then becomes, what rights do those living in a retirement community have? Here are some of the basic rights that every person in a senior living community has.
Being Treated With Honor and Dignity
Everyone has the right to be considered with respect and decency regardless of age, race, religion, country, gender, physical or mental aptitude, marital or financial position. A resident’s right to autonomy includes the assurance that they will be treated with respect and dignity and allowed to make choices about their own life and care, as well as any associated services, without harassment from others.
Although our community has many beneficial programs and activities, we never force anyone to take part in anything against their will.
The Freedom to Appoint a Guardian or Legal Representation
If a resident needs protection, that individual has the legal right to choose a guardian or agent to oversee their interests.
Protection Against All Forms of Abuse, both Mental and Physical
Violence towards aging adults violates their fundamental right to be treated with respect. Some kinds of physical abuse include putting someone in restraints or making them feel bad to punish them or just to make the caregiver happy.
Reasonable restraint is allowed only if there is a medical emergency and with the permission of the resident’s guardian.
The Right to Speak Up and Complain About the Care and Services You Receive
When seeking or giving medical attention or social assistance, a resident has the right to use their preferred language with other patients and staff members.
They can also complain about care or treatment privately or through an authorized officer. The provider must act quickly to remedy the issue and cannot retaliate against the resident who raised it. We know that there may be times when residents are unhappy with what team members do, so we make it easy for them to let us know and get their problems fixed quickly.
The Right to Take Part in Events
There shouldn’t be any limits on how much an aging adult can participate in community, religious, or social groups unless doing so would hurt the rights of others. Our residents can choose from a wide range of activities, including relaxing in the spa, reading, working out, or just going for a walk.
Respect for Individual Privacy
In the absence of compelling circumstances, a resident has a right to privacy when taking care of one’s own needs and when receiving guests or engaging in social activities. A couple may also share a room if both partners are over 65 and receive similar care. Also, nobody is empowered to limit a resident’s visitors or make them see someone they don’t want to see.
In conclusion, the rights of residents are as vital as the rights of any other group of people. While there are communities that may not respect residents’ right to autonomy, we work hard to make sure that doesn’t happen here.
