Resident Rights

(1) An ACH shall ensure at least the following rights for each resident and shall not require a resident to waive any of the delineated rights: STANDARDS FOR ADULT CARE HOMES – LEVEL 2 CHAPTER 0720-37 (a) To be afforded privacy in treatment and personal care; (b) To be free from mental and physical abuse. Should this right be violated, the ACH shall notify the Department and the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services at 1-888-277-8366; (c) To refuse treatment. An ACH must inform the resident of the consequences of that decision. The ACH must report the resident’s refusal and its reason to the resident’s treating physician and it must document such in the resident’s record; (d) To have his or her file kept confidential and private. An ACH shall obtain the resident’s written consent prior to release of information except as otherwise authorized by law; (e) To be fully informed of the Resident’s Rights, of any policies and procedures governing resident conduct, of any services available in the ACH, and of the schedule of all fees for any and all services; (f) To participate in drawing up the terms of the admission agreement, including, but not limited to, providing for resident’s preferences for physician care, hospitalization, nursing home care, acquisition of medication, preferences for hospice and home care providers, emergency plans and funeral arrangements; (g) To be given thirty (30) days written notice prior to transfer or discharge, except when any physician orders the transfer because the resident requires a higher level of care; (h) To voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services of the ACH without restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal. An ACH shall inform the resident of procedures to voice grievances and for registering complaints confidentially; (i) To manage his or her personal financial affairs, including the right to keep and spend his or her own money. If the resident requests assistance from the ACH in managing his or her personal financial affairs, the request must be in writing and the resident may terminate it at any time. The ACH must separate such monies from the ACH’s operating funds and all other deposits or expenditures, submit a written accounting to the resident at least quarterly, and immediately return the balance upon transfer or discharge. The ACH shall maintain a current copy of this report in the resident’s file; (j) To be treated with consideration, respect and full recognition of his or her dignity and individuality; (k) To be accorded privacy for sleeping and for storage space for personal belongings; (l) To have free access to day rooms, dining and other group living or common areas at reasonable hours and to come and go from the ACH, unless such access infringes upon the rights of other residents; (m) To wear his or her own clothes, to keep and use his or her own toilet articles and personal possessions; (n) To send and receive unopened mail; (o) To associate and communicate privately with persons of his or her choice, including receiving visitors at reasonable hours; STANDARDS FOR ADULT CARE HOMES – LEVEL 2 CHAPTER 0720-37 (p) To participate, or to refuse to participate, in community activities, including cultural, educational, religious, community service, vocational and recreational activities; (q) To not be required to perform services for the ACH. The resident and licensee may mutually agree, in writing, that the resident may perform certain activities or services as part of the fee for his or her stay; and (r) To execute, modify, or rescind a Living Will, Do-Not-Resuscitate Order or advance directive.