CMS Issues Reminder Concerning Visitation Rights

Inan effort to curb elder abuse and protect the personal rights of long-term careresidents, the Center for Medical Services (CMS) has issued a “reminder” toState Survey Agency Directors delineating the rights of LTC residents toreceive visitors.

Denyingresidents the right to receive visitors is prohibited by state and federal law,however, some residential care facilities for the elderly have denied residentsall visitors, phone calls, and mail.  CMShopes to remind these facilities that they must “provide 24-hour access to allindividuals visiting with the consent of the resident.”

See Linda Kincaid, CMS Reminder: Access and Visitation Rightsin Long-Term Care, Examiner, July 15, 2013.