When someone moves into a building that offers Assisted Living services they are required to sign a rental agreement or lease which covers the occupancy issues of the apartment or living space. Additionally, the resident is required to sign a Service Agreement which deals with the particular services to be provided from a licensed home care provider. The contracted services can be provided by either outside home care providers or the property owners. An Assisted Living provider must provide basic services, such as on-call 24 hour nursing access with daily checks on each resident and help with services such as laundry, meals, transportation and at least three activities of daily living. There must be a staff person available 24 hours daily who is awake and able to respond quickly. The facility must have a method for residents to contact them if needed for health or safety needs 24 hours a day.

Minnesota Assisted Living providers must also clearly state what services are offered, allowing consumers to compare facilities and choose one with the appropriate level of care. Minnesota’s Assisted Living Bill of Rights creates specific rights for residents of Assisted Living Facilities, including fair and respectful treatment. It further allows the right to choose services and providers. It gives the right to a current Care Plan, to participate in your care and to change medical or other providers if desired. There are safeguards to basic human rights such as: the right to self-determination, to privacy, to safety, to speak out and specifically prohibits harmful treatment.

If you suspect abuse or neglect to any vulnerable adult in an Assisted Living or Nursing Home facility, please contact our firm for information or assistance on how to file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Health and have the matter investigated.

Minnesota Nursing Home and Assisted Living Neglect are important issues to senior citizens and their families. Nursing Home neglect can often be attributed to lack of administrative policies and procedures, poorly trained staff and inadequate staffing.

Vulnerable adults and the elderly should not be subjected to the following forms of neglect: malnutrition, dehydration, pressure ulcers, falls, medication errors, lack of infection control and injuries caused from lack of supervision. Neglect can be avoided with proper training and education.

Contact Guardian Legal Services to consult with a Minnesota Nursing Home Lawyer who is dedicated to holding Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities accountable to the contracts they sign with the government, Medicare and Medicaid promising to provide residents with the “highest quality of care practicable.”

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