Nursing Home Laws

The nursing home abuse law, part of a larger reform act known as the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA), states that care will be administered in accordance with established nursing home and regulatory agency protocols. This law places importance on resident's quality of life in addition to the quality of care they receive. The nursing home abuse law requires that resident's daily living activities, such as walking, bathing, and eating, be maintained and improved through nursing home care practices administered or facilitated by facility supervisors and/or employees.

The nursing home abuse law also grants a number of other rights to nursing home and long term care residents. For example, the law mandates physical and chemical restraint restrictions that are to be implemented by the nursing home, as well as a resident's right to maintain independent financial funds. A nursing home resident's freedom to communicate, submit grievances without reprisal, and general interaction rights were also stipulations of OBRA nursing home abuse law.

The nursing home abuse law also requires that nursing home professionals complete a minimum level of training so that they are able to offer the highest level of care. These professionals are required to develop an individual plan of care for each and every resident in their charge. These plans are evaluated by the ombudsman upon evaluation.

The nursing home abuse law is enforced by Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs established by the federal government under the OBRA. Agents from this organization routinely evaluate nursing home and long term care facilities to ensure compliance with all provisions of the federal nursing home abuse law.

The nursing home abuse law is very specific in its addressing of responsibilities to individual care facilities. Contact experienced and compassionate nursing home abuse lawyer immediately should you feel that those responsibilities have been ignored or violated.