Know your rights in skilled nursing facilities

Our area is lucky to have some excellent skilled nursing facilities to care for our seniors. But unfortunately, there are occasional bad actors. All of us want to ensure the best care possible for those in their golden years, whether it is for ourselves or our loved ones.

State and federal law guarantee certain rights to residents of long-term care facilities. The law requires facilities to provide services for physical and mental health, and to protect against abuse, whether it is physical, mental, financial or any other kind. Residents have the right to participate in their own care, including choosing your own doctor, expecting reasonable arrangements to meet your needs, and the right to see your own medical records upon request. Residents' privacy rights are also protected by law.

The Department of Public Health has established a toll-free hotline for Illinois residents who feel their facility is violating their rights, or the rights of a loved one. You can contact the agency at 1-800-252-4343, or find more information about the laws governing skilled nursing facilities by clicking here.

The state has established a Long-Term Care Ombudsman to work with nursing homes residents, families and community groups to ensure the highest quality care and to resolve problems for their residents. You can find out more about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman by clicking here.