Assisted Living Resident Rights in Virginia

The short answer: Virginia law gives every assisted living resident 20 written rights, and every home must post them where anyone can see.¹ Here are the ones families ask me about most.

• Respect and dignity. Your parent is treated with courtesy, always.
• Privacy in personal care, medical visits, phone calls, visits and their own room. Married couples may share a room.
• Choice of doctors. Your parent picks their own health care providers.
• A say in care. Residents help plan their care and can refuse treatment.
• Control of their own money, unless a conservator has been appointed.
• Freedom to speak up. Residents can make complaints and suggestions without fear of payback.
• Freedom from abuse, neglect and unnecessary restraints or medications.
• Their own things. Residents keep their clothes and belongings, within the space available.
• Fair notice before any move, with a stated reason and help with the transition.

Who to call with a concern

Start with me. If you ever want an outside voice, Virginia's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents for free, and every home must post its contact number.^{1 2}

Sources

1. Code of Virginia § 63.2-1808 (rights and responsibilities of residents)↩
2. Virginia DARS, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program↩