Residents have the right to manage their own money or to choose someone they trust to do it for them. A resident may authorize the nursing home to manage his or her money if he or she signs a written statement to that effect. Even if the nursing home manages the money, the resident should have access to his or her account and financial records. The nursing home must make an effort to keep residents' personal belongings safe from theft. If a husband and wife are in the same nursing home, they are entitled to share a room.
Residents also have the right to receive phone calls in private and to have visitors.
They also have the right to refuse medications and treatments. Nursing homes may not use restraints on a resident unless it is necessary to treat a medical condition. Except in an emergency, a physician must approve the use of restraints. Nursing home inspections Every nursing home that receives federal money is inspected by the state once a year to ensure it complies with federal standards. The team usually interviews residents, family members, caregivers and administrative staff about the nursing home and reviews clinical records.