“I was dropped by a CNA which broke my femur. All the control of my basic life decisions was taken from me.”
“We were given shots if we were ‘acting out’ by asking for what we needed.”
“The staff violated every right listed in the patient’s rights handbook.”
“A short stay for wound care turned into seven years of fighting for my rights.”
These are a few of the many stories of abuse and neglect from survivors of nursing homes. Nursing home residents should not live in fear of abuse – yet in practice, facilities have so much control that abuse, neglect, and retaliation against those that speak up is widespread. Further, institutional bias traps tens of thousands of people in institutions that have no need to be there. It is time to change the narrative.
HB 3716, Humanize Long-Term Care, would rebalance long-term care –away from the costly institution-centered model and toward person-centered policies that prioritize dignity and community.
Please urge your state legislators to Humanize Long-Term Care, so today’s nursing home residents can become our neighbors tomorrow. For more information or to get involved, email manager@irrcoalition.org or call/text 312-646-0112.