What is a violation of residents' rights?

A violation of residents' rights fundamentally occurs when the actions taken by staff or the facility do not respect the individual autonomy, dignity, or preferences of the residents. Residents of nursing facilities have rights that must be honored, including the right to make choices about their own care and daily activities. When staff disregard these rights, it can lead to feelings of disrespect and disempowerment among residents.

In this context, disregarding or undermining a resident’s autonomy means not allowing them to make personal choices or follow their own preferences regarding their care, daily routines, or lifestyle. This could manifest in various ways, such as forcing residents into activities they do not want to participate in or not allowing them to express their likes and dislikes.

Actions that enhance a resident’s comfort or strictly enforce facility rules may actually support the residents' interests when done appropriately, as long as they respect their rights. Similarly, providing more care than requested can be well-meaning, but if it’s done against the resident's wishes, it could potentially violate their right to autonomy. However, the core issue remains that any action which undermines a resident's ability to make choices or diminishes their inherent dignity clearly constitutes a violation of their rights.