Privacy and dignity are two of the most important issues in nursing homes. A good nursing home gives its residents the privacy they need and also treats them with the respect they deserve. Unfortunately, many caregivers neglect even the most basic aspects of these two important factors.
Privacy
Privacy involves the protection of the patient's body, personal information and belongings. For example, the patient's body should always be covered as much as possible when he is being bathed or changed. Those parts that are not being cleaned should be covered with a towel or blanket. The privacy curtain and the room door should be shut while care is given. If the room is shared with other residents, discussions should not involve personal information.
Beyond giving personal care, caregivers and visitors should always ask whether to leave a door open or closed when leaving the resident's room.
Likewise, nursing home staff and visitors should always ask before looking through a resident's belongings and should explain why it is necessary. Personal medical and financial information must always be confidential and shared only with those who need to know it. Records should be filed in a secure location, and staff members should not look at them unless needed to provide care. Staff members, visitors and other residents should not discuss patient information. Even if these discussions are meant in friendly concern, they are invasions of privacy.
Married Couples
Married couples living in a nursing home have the right to share a room. If the husband or wife does not live in the facility, they have the right to privacy during their visits.
Dignity
Every nursing home resident has the right to be treated with dignity. She should be called by her given name (or a nickname that she prefers). As much as possible, she should be given choices in her care (such as a selection of outfits and food choices). She has the right to be treated as an adult, no matter the extent of her disabilities. For example, if a staff member is styling her hair, it should not be set in child-like pigtails.
Staff members must speak to the residents respectfully, explaining care as needed and giving the resident the chance to respond and to refuse. (If the resident is confused and continues to refuse care, nursing home staff members may use reasonable means to coax the resident to accept care.)
Residents have the right to participate or not in activities, including worship services. During these activities, the resident should not be made a subject of mockery. For example, they should not be made up as a clown during a circus-themed activity, unless they clearly know what is going on. They also have the right to change their mind and not participate.
Violations
If you see violations, discuss it with the staff member in question to clarify the situation. Document what you see. If the staff member did not give a satisfactory response, discuss the matter with the nursing home's administrator. If the response is still not satisfactory, you may need to consider a different facility. In serious cases, charges or lawsuits may be necessary.
Warning
If the resident is being physically or mentally abused or neglected or financially exploited, contact a local abuse hotline and local police. Signs of abuse include fear and anxiety, burns, bruises, scratches, frequent crying, withdrawal, depression and hostility.
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