The Florida Legislature enacted Florida Statutes to protect the the rights, health, safety, and welfare of residents in long term care facilities. The legislation was enacted to address unsanitary facilities, and to prevent the bodily harm of residents. Additionally the legislation addresses theft of residents’ personal property, the gross misuse of restraints, tranquilizers and drugs, poor administration, unlicensed care providers, lack of enforceability of existing rules, and loss of freedoms of residents.
The situation of abuse in long term care facilities was such that the Florida Legislature found “that conditions in long-term care facilities in this state are such that the rights, health, safety, and welfare of residents are not fully ensured by rules of the Department of Elderly Affairs or the Agency for Health Care Administration or by the good faith of owners or operators of long-term care facilities. Furthermore, there is a need for a formal mechanism whereby a long-term care facility resident, a representative of a long-term care facility resident, or any other concerned citizen may make a complaint against the facility or its employees, or against other persons who are in a position to restrict, interfere with, or threaten the rights, health, safety, or welfare of a long-term care facility resident.” § 400.0061, Fla. Stat.
If your loved one living in a long term care facility is not treated properly and in accordance with the law the resident has rights. Do not let your loved one be treated with anything less than the dignity they deserve. Call a Florida Nursing Home Abuse attorney.