But there may be times when expectations are not met. When a resident has a concern or is unhappy about a situation, the facility should be willing to hear and resolve the concern. Residents can refer to their patient rights and responsibilities forms to justify their arguments or use the facility s grievance policies to solve a problem. Generally, most issues involve some type of miscommunication between individuals. Be sure that the issues are understood, expectations are clarified, and the solution meets everyone s needs.
Some facilities have resident councils to address issues related to the facility overall.
Contact your state long-term care ombudsman if you feel you need to take your concern to a higher level. Sometimes, a resident may require a short inpatient hospital or nursing home stay. Therefore, it's important to understand the residency agreement provisions regarding holding a resident's bed or unit. Upon returning to the facility, the resident's care plan should be reviewed and updated as needed. You may have to obtain permission from the resident or family to move the resident to a more intensive setting within the facility.