ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Nursing-Home Care

What can I do to ensure that I will receive quality care and that my medical and personal needs will be met?

The key to ensuring that you receive individualized care that adequately addresses your medical and personal needs is active participation in the care-planning process. Federal law requires a resident assessment and a written plan of care that is prepared with the resident or the resident's family or legal representative. This process should occur just after admission and then yearly, or after any significant change in physical or mental condition.