All Champion Care caregivers are PCA or HHA certified and know their clients rights because it's a part of their curriculum for the certificates. All clients or Individuals receiving home care have rights. Many of these rights are protected under Federal Law, but vary from state to state. For example, home care clients have the right to be fully informed of all his or her rights and responsibilities by the home care agency. Other rights include choosing care providers, receiving appropriate and professional care in accordance with physician orders, and receiving a timely response from the agency to his or her request for service. Below you will find a list of remaining rights:
- Be admitted for service only if the agency has the ability to provide safe, professional care at the level of intensity needed
- Receive reasonable continuity of care
- Receive information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any treatment or procedure
- Be advised of any change in the care plan, before the change is made
- Refuse treatment within the confines of the law and to be informed of the consequences of his or her action
- Be informed of his or her rights under state law to formulate advanced directives
- Have health care providers comply with advance directives in accordance with state law requirements
- Be informed within reasonable time of anticipated termination of service or plans for transfer to another agency
- Be fully informed of agency policies and charges for services, including eligibility for third-party reimbursements
- Be referred elsewhere if denied service solely on his or her inability to pay
- Voice grievances and suggest changes in service or staff without fear of restraint or discrimination
- Receive a fair hearing if any service has been denied, reduced, or terminated, or if the client is otherwise aggrieved by agency action. The fair hearing procedure shall be set forth by each agency as appropriate to the unique client situation (i.e., funding source, level of care, diagnosis)
- Be informed of what to do in the event of an emergency
- Be advised of the telephone number and hours of operation of the state’s home health hotline, which receives questions and complaints about Medicare-certified and state-licensed home care agencies
- File a complaint or grievance about any service, including eligibility determinations for Medicaid Waiver services or state-funded programs, without fear of negative consequences
Another example of clients rights is "The Best Friends Dementia Bill of Rights". This "Bill of Rights" was created by David Troxel and Virginia Bell, both experts in dementia. Every person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia deserves to be informed of one's diagnosis, to have appropriate, ongoing, medical care, and to be treated as an adult, listened to, and afforded respect for one's feelings and point of view. The rest of the Friends Dementia Bill of Rights is shown below:
- To be with individuals who know one’s life story, including cultural, and spiritual traditions
- To experience meaningful engagement throughout the day
- To live in a safe and stimulating environment
- To be outdoors on a regular basis
- To be free from psychotropic medications whenever possible
- To have welcomed physical contact, including hugging, caressing, and handholding
- To be an advocate for oneself and others
- To be part of a local, global, or online community
- To have care partners well trained in dementia care
(Virginia Bell and David Troxel - Best Friends Approach, 22, Nov. 2023)
Works Cited:
“Virginia Bell and David Troxel - Best Friends Approach.” Best Friends Approach, 22 Nov. 2023, bestfriendsapproach.com/about/virginia-bell-and-david-troxel/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.