 | Charlene Mathis
has been a long term care administrator for 14 years, and is currently the Administrator at Villa Maria, Inc. in Mulvane, Kansas. During her years as an administrator Mathis has managed all levels of long term care, including independent living, assisted living, nursing home, and dementia unit. Villa Maria has recently expanded its services and will be opening an assisted living facility, Maria Court, in January. Mathis received her B.A. degree in psychology and sociology from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas and her M.A. degree in community psychology from Wichita State University. Mathis is an active member of the Kansas Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators as well as the Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. You may contact Christine at Villa Maria 777-1129. |
Senior Living
2002-03-01 17:49:00
Residents’ rights
Question: What are the rights of nursing home residents in Kansas? Who enforces these regulations?
Answer: Older adults who live in nursing homes have the same rights as any other citizen of the State of Kansas. Unless they have been adjudged incompetent, nursing home residents may vote, own property, handle their financial affairs, communicate with whoever they wish, and all the other individual rights of citizenship. In addition, there are very specific federal and state regulations that protect the rights of nursing home residents. The Kansas regulation states, "Each resident shall have a right to a dignified existence, self-determination, and communication with and access to persons and services inside and outside the adult care home. Each adult care home shall protect and promote the rights of each resident as set forth in this regulation."The following is a summary of the rights described in the regulation:· To exercise rights as a resident and as a citizen.· To be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity.· To voice grievances without fear of reprisal· To be free from mental and physical abuse and to be free from chemical and physical restraints.· To have privacy in care and treatment, confidentiality of personal and medical records, and to associate and communicate privately with whomever the resident chooses.· To manage your personal and financial affairs; to make choices and independent decisions.· To keep and use personal belongings and to maintain a secure place for those possessions.· To participate in planning your care and treatment, or to refuse treatment.· To participate in social, religious and community activities; to participate in the resident council.· To be discharged or transferred only for medical reasons, your own welfare or that of others, or for non-payment.The rights of residents must be taken very seriously if we are to provide an acceptable quality of life for residents of nursing homes. Loss of dignity, privacy, and all control of one's life can have a devastating affect on any individual, but especially for older, vulnerable adults.When a resident is adjudged incompetent, the resident's guardian or legal representative may exercise the rights of the resident on their behalf.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with Federal and State regulations. The annual KDHE inspection process completed at every nursing home in Kansas directs considerable attention to the issue of resident rights. Complaints are also investigated by KDHE.Residents or family members who feel that resident rights are being violated may file a complaint via the Kansas Department of Health and Environment "complaint hotline" or they may contact the Kansas Long Term Care Ombudsman for their region and request intervention. It is a requirement that the telephone numbers of both of these agencies be posted in the facility.
