When you move into assisted living in Mount Holly, NC, you may feel like you are giving up your independence. However, just because you’ve moved into a senior-friendly independent living community doesn’t mean your rights have been stripped away. Knowing what rights still exist is essential to maintain a sense of control over your life while receiving help from others. The following is a list of your rights when considering assisted living:
You Have the Right to Come and Go Freely
Your rights include the right to come and go freely, which means you can visit friends and family or even go to the library whenever you’d like. If there are any religious institutions nearby, you can attend them as well—and if there aren’t any nearby, your senior-friendly independent living community should be able to recommend a place you can attend when they need to know where you are times.
You also have the right to visit friends and family members in their homes. You may not leave the premises at night without permission from the care members; however, this restriction only applies under the direct supervision of an employee. The only limitation is that no one under 18 is allowed into an assisted living community unless accompanied by an adult over 21 years old who has already been given written consent by management beforehand (including phone calls).
You Have the Right to Exercise Reasonable Control Over Your Person And Property, Including Decisions Involving Medical Care
You can choose your own doctors, make decisions about your treatment, and refuse treatment. You also have the right to make decisions regarding your property, such as where it will be stored or what items are sold. While some of these rights might seem obvious, others may be unfamiliar.
You Can Choose a Physician, Decide On a Treatment Plan And Ask to Change Doctors
When you choose a senior-friendly independent living community, you are given the option of selecting your physician and working with them to create a treatment plan. You can also request another doctor visit your home if that is more convenient for you. This is all done by choice, so do not feel pressured into anything unless it is what YOU want. If, at any time during your stay in assisted living, you have concerns about how things are going, let someone know, and they will address them immediately.
A final step in understanding your rights as an assisted living resident is having access to second opinions if necessary. This right allows residents to seek medical advice from different sources if they feel dissatisfied with their current physician’s recommendations or interventions for their health care needs.
You are Free to Associate with Whoever You Choose
You have the right to choose to live with people you know or strangers, with people who are similar to you or different from you, and with people of any age or gender. You can even live in an all-male or all-female community if that’s what makes sense for your happiness and well-being.
You Can Be Assured of Privacy While Receiving Personal Care Services in Your Unit or Room
You have the right to privacy when you are receiving personal care services in your unit or room. You can refuse to be videotaped or photographed while receiving personal care services and ask for family members or friends to be present during these times. Your wishes will be respected unless they interfere with the health of other residents.
