Can a nursing home tell you that you can not take your loved one home?

Question

My husband's uncle is in a nursing home and they will not let him go until he finds a doctor where I live. They will not refer him to a doctor here. They are not giving us many answers and not returning calls right away. Do seniors have rights? Can't he just sign himself out? We are in Arkansas. What can they do legally? He is going to get a doctor here, but the nursing home wants a doctor to call them and any doctor in town will not because they have not yet seen him as a patient. We wnat him home for Thanksgiving. ~~Desperate for answers

Answer 1

If you can't get him home in time; make 'home' where he is and bring Thanksgiving to him. It will tell the institution where he is located that he has a LOVING family who would do anything for him and meanwhile, you can continue to research the option of bringing him home during other holidays. Bad things can happen to folks when left alone so don't risk upsetting those at the institution - he's the one that will have to live with your decisions.

Answer 2

You might find helpful information in this Arkansas pamphlet for senior citizens: http://www.arkbar.org/pdf/senior_citizen_handbook_2006.pdf

Starting on page 18 is the section on nursing homes, including patient rights and legal remedies.

You might also call your regional contact number for the Arkansas Caregivers organization, they may be able to advise you: http://www.arkansascaregivers.com/contact/

I know you don't want to alienate the home, and risk it affecting his treatment there (or even them refusing to allow him back), but it would be really special for him and you to have him with his family on the holiday, so I hope you're able to work it out.

Answer 3

Unless he's been declared legally incompetent he can sign himslef out at any time.

Richard

Answer 4

Well, c'mon...Arkansas..more backward than Bengladesh!