The basic objective of the Nursing Home Reform Act is to ensure that residents of nursing homes receive quality care that will result in their achieving or maintaining their "highest practicable" physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. To secure quality care in nursing homes, the Nursing Home Reform Act requires the provision of certain services to each resident and establishes a Residents' Bill of Rights.

The Nursing Home Reform Act established the following rights for nursing home residents:

The right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect.
The right to freedom from physical restraints
The right to privacy.
The right to accommodation of medical, physical, psychological, and social needs.
The right to participate in resident and family groups.
The right to be treated with dignity.
The right to exercise self-determination.
The right to communicate freely.
The right to participate in the review of one's care plan, and to be fully informed in advance about any changes in care, treatment, or change of status in the facility; and
The right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal.

Most Nursing Homes provide excellent nursing services and medical care to their patients. However, few fail to provide necessary care as required by law to ensure that residents of nursing homes receive quality care that will result in their achieving or maintaining their "highest practicable" physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. It is important that we have adequate information when a loved one sustains injury or death in a Nursing Home.

Bedsores, broken bones, dehydration and other injuries and deaths suffered in nursing homes may be signs of abuse or neglect. If you are concerned about a family member’s care in a nursing home, assisted living residence or other extended care facilities in Georgia, contact me, Attorney Robert Akomah. I am dedicated to protecting our seniors from the harm and dangers of negligent nursing home care.