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February 7, 2025

Support SB 5337: Strengthening Memory Care for Washington’s Seniors

Support SB 5337 to improve memory care services in Washington! Currently, over 126,000 Washingtonians live with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, requiring.... Read more

September
17

September 17, 2024

State Reviews Reveal Concerns in Kitsap County Nursing Homes

Recent state reviews of nursing homes in Kitsap County have uncovered various issues affecting the quality of care for residents. From staffing shortages to regulatory.... Read more

September
16

September 16, 2024

WA LTC Ombudsman Program Brochure

Check out our program’s 2024 brochure, Ombuds Overview.... Read more

September
6

September 6, 2024

Seattle Area Assisted Living Costs Soar, Creating Financial Strain for Families

The rising costs of assisted living in the Seattle area are placing significant financial pressure on families. With price tags reaching record highs, many are.... Read more

September
6

September 6, 2024

Devoted Volunteers Provide Vital Support to Long-Term Care Residents, But More Help Is Needed

Volunteers play a crucial role in checking on and supporting individuals in long-term care facilities, offering companionship and ensuring their well-being. However,.... Read more

October
16

October 16, 2023

Medicare Quality Improvement Organization: KEPRO

If you have Medicare, Learn about the Rights you Have Under Medicare Kepro is the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) for 29.... Read more

March
2

March 2, 2023

Dignity for All: Staffing Standards Now!

This month marks the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s announcement of historic nursing home reforms. Creating a minimum staffing standard, which would be.... Read more

December
7

December 7, 2022

Resident Council Handbook

From the now retired, Resident Councils of Washington” “The goal of this project is simple and singular: To create opportunities for resident of long-term.... Read more

December
7

December 7, 2022

AgeWise King County: Ombuds Volunteers Needed in King County

“We rely on trained volunteers who visit residents inside long-term care facilities. Volunteers are the eyes and ears, assessing how residents are doing. We flag.... Read more

November
30

November 30, 2022

Sequim Gazette: My life as a volunteer

By: Sequim resident Claudia Murray has 30 years of volunteering as an area long term care ombudsman at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across Clallam.... Read more

November
22

November 22, 2022

Decades of neglect in nursing homes spur Biden plan for staff mandates

From the Washington Post’s Christopher Rowland, “Critics say the details of Sira’s suffering add to decades of accumulated evidence that residents suffer.... Read more

November
8

November 8, 2022

Memorandum In Support Of Petition For Rulemaking To Amend Rules To Ensure Discharge Protection For Residents In All Licensed Long-Term Care Settings

Twenty-seven years ago, the state legislature extended the federal rights of nursing home residents to the residents of all long-term care settings in.... Read more

October
14

October 14, 2022

Balancing Privacy & Protection: Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents’ Rooms

You and your family members might have considered installing a surveillance camera in your room to help determine that you are receiving appropriate care and being.... Read more

October
5

October 5, 2022

Inspiring Unity within Our Community: Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Month, October 2022

Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Month, October 2022 Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities along.... Read more

August
16

August 16, 2022

The Columbian, “Vancouver volunteer makes impact as long-term care advocate”

“After Bob Kyte retired from his long career as a business executive, he wanted to volunteer somewhere where he could help people. That was about three years ago..... Read more

March
23

March 23, 2022

Crime Victim Support

Your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman can help support you if you are a victim of crime. We can guide you through the available resources, including those found both in.... Read more

March
23

March 23, 2022

Who Decides? LTC Residents & Decision Making

Thank you so much for taking part in The Washington State Long-Term Care “Who Decides? Long-Term Care Residents & Decision Making” program. This program.... Read more

March
23

March 23, 2022

Reducing Antipsychotics

The federal government, health care professionals and consumer advocates are taking action in curbing the misuse of antipsychotic drugs in long-term care facilities,.... Read more

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Resident Rights

An Overview of Resident Rights

If you live in a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, such as a nursing home, boarding home (also called “assisted living facility”), adult family home, or state operated veterans’ home, you have:

The same civil and legal rights as all US citizens; plus
A basic set of legally protected Resident Rights.

Resident Rights cover all aspects of your stay: from admission, to living in the facility, and discharge.

A short history of Resident Rights

People who live in long-term care facilities are more vulnerable than people who live independently. In 1987, the U. S. Congress recognized this fact and passed The Nursing Home Reform Act that gave nursing home residents additional legal protections, including a set of Resident Rights.

In 1995, the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman was successful in persuading the Washington legislature to extend Resident Rights to other LTC facilities: boarding homes, adult family homes, and state operated veterans’ homes.

Resident Rights put you in charge

Resident Rights enable you to direct all aspects of your stay in a LTC facility. For example, you have the right to make decisions regarding your plan of treatment, how you conduct your personal life, and at what time and location you want to be discharged from the facility.

Knowing and advocating for your rights is critical to a successful stay in a LTC facility. You, your representative, or a legally appointed guardian can exercise your rights. A long-term care ombudsman can explain and help you exercise your rights.

What can you do if your rights are being violated?

Whether you live in a nursing home, a boarding home (“assisted living facility”), an adult family home, or a state operated veterans’ home, you or your advocate can pursue these options one at a time, simultaneously, and in any order:

Talk directly to facility staff
File a written grievance with the facility
Voice your concern and get support at a Resident Council meeting
Call your local LTC Ombudsman for advice and/or request their help and involvement (See the list of LTC Ombudsmen by County)
Call the DSHS Complaint Hotline (1-800-562-6078) and report your concern.
- You will be asked to leave a message.
- Provide specific details about your concern, your name and phone number, and a good time to reach you.
- DSHS will call you back.
You also have the option to remain anonymous to the facility, DSHS, or to both entities.

Retaliation, Coercion or Interference

It is illegal to retaliate against residents in any way for talking to the ombudsman or filing a complaint or grievance. It is also illegal for a facility to interfere with the ombudsman’s duties, including the investigation of complaints or provision of information to residents, families and others. Residents have the right to meet privately with the ombudsman and to have these conversations remain confidential. The ombudsman’s investigations and records are also confidential, unless disclosure is approved.

To view the complete Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENT RIGHTS, Chapter 70.129 visit https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.129