Resident's Rights
As a family member, it is important for you to know the rights of assisted living residents, as defined by the Code of Maryland Regulations. Those rights are summarized below.
A resident has the right to:
- Be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of human dignity and individuality.
- Receive treatment, care, and services that are adequate, appropriate and in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Privacy in one's room, including the right to have staff knock on the door before entering.
- Be free from mental, verbal, sexual and physical abuse, neglect, involuntary seclusion and exploitation.
- Be free from physical and chemical restraints.
- Have one's personal information treated with confidentiality.
- Attend or not attend religious services; receive visits from clergy.
- Possess and use one's own personal clothing and other personal possessions and have reasonable security for these items.
- Determine one's own dress, hairstyle, and other personal effects according to individual preference, as long as personal hygiene of resident is not compromised.
- Meet with any individual subject to posted restrictions on visiting hours and visiting places within the facility.
- Complain or present grievances without threat or fear of retaliation.
- Receive a prompt response to complaints, through an established grievance procedure.
- Have access to procedures for making complaints to state and local regulatory and advocacy agencies.
- Receive and send private correspondence, and have access to tools for writing.
- Have access to a telephone.
- Receive notification before a change is made in roommates and have input into the choice of roommate, to the extent possible.
- Refuse medical treatment after the possible consequences of refusing treatment are explained.
- Share a room with one's spouse if this is feasible and both parties agree.
- Not be assigned to do any work at the facility without the resident's consent and appropriate compensation.
Assisted living programs are required to post a copy of the Resident's Rights in a conspicuous location in the facility. |
More information is available on assisted living regulations.