\u201cMy sister does not want a male giving her a bath or cleaning her up after she\u2019s had an accident. It really embarrasses her to have a man take care of such personal needs and I understand just how she feels!\u201d<\/p>\n
This younger sister was beside herself as she expressed concern about her older sister\u2019s care in a nursing home. \u201cWhen they first started having male CNAs provide care for the women, they allowed my sister to opt out. Not any more. I was just informed that she had to accept care from a male or she would be \u201crefusing care.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a response to this dilemma, I contacted Dorian Fredricksen, the Long-Term Care Program Manager for the Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging. Here\u2019s her reply:<\/p>\n
\u201cNursing home residents have rights that are guaranteed by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. The law requires nursing homes to \u2018promote and protect the rights of each resident\u2019 and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity and self-determination. This includes the resident\u2019s right to participate in his\/her own care and to refuse care and services that the resident may not be comfortable with. In this instance, the resident has the right to express her discomfort with having a male caregiver and the nursing home is obligated to protect the resident\u2019s dignity and right to direct her own care and should make reasonable accommodations to honor her request.\u201d<\/p>\n
If your loved one resides in a nursing facility, and you need assistance with a situation such as the one above, contact the Ombudsman for your county.<\/p>\n
The North Carolina Bill of Rights for Nursing Home Residents is available online. Here is a summary: (1) To be treated with consideration and respect, recognizing personal dignity and individuality. (2) To receive adequate and appropriate care that is in compliance with federal and state statutes. (3) To receive, at admission and during stay, a written statement of services provided by the facility. (4) To have on file physician\u2019s orders with proposed schedule of medical treatment. (5) To receive respect and privacy in the medical care program; all records are confidential. (6) To be free of mental and physical abuse; to be free of chemical and physical restraint (except in emergencies when authorized for a specified period by a physician according to clear and indicated medical need). (7) To receive, from the administration or staff, a reasonable response to all requests. (8) To associate and communicate privately and without restriction with persons of the patient\u2019s choice at any reasonable hour; to have privacy in receiving and sending mail and telephone conversations. (9) To manage his\/her financial affairs unless other legal arrangements have been implemented. (10) To have private visits with a spouse; if both are patients in the same facility, to have the opportunity to share a room. (11) To enjoy privacy in his\/her room. (12) To present grievances and recommend changes in policies and services without fear of reprisal, restraint, interference, coercion, or discrimination. (13) To not be required to perform services for the facility without personal consent and the written approval of the attending physician. (14) To have reasonable storage for personal possessions. (15) To not be transferred or discharged except for medical, financial, or their own or other patient\u2019s welfare, nonpayment for the stay or when mandated by Medicare or Medicaid. Transfers require at least five days\u2019 notice, unless otherwise ordered by the attending physician. (16) To be notified, along with the responsible party, within ten days after the facility\u2019s license is revoked or made provisional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cMy sister does not want a male giving her a bath or cleaning her up after she\u2019s had an accident. It really embarrasses her to have a man take care of such personal needs and I understand just how she feels!\u201d This younger sister was beside herself as she expressed concern about her older sister\u2019s care in a nursing home. \u201cWhen they first started having male CNAs provide care for the women, they allowed my sister to opt out. Not…<\/p>\n