Nursing Home Smoking Rights

Summary

Nursing homes in Pennsylvania can set their own smoking policies, including designated areas and restrictions. If others are allowed to smoke, it may be due to specific permissions. Discuss your concerns with the facility management for clarity. If miscommunication persists, consider seeking help from a legal aid service or an ombudsman.

Full Conversation

My name is Kim and I am in a nursing home, all I would like to do is go outside and smoke, which they are not allowing me
**** Kim. Could you please tell me where the nursing home is located? Laws regarding smoking in nursing homes can vary by location.
I am of sound and mind,, my hands work good, legs not so well
**** Kim. It sounds like you're having a tough time. Could you please tell me the location of your nursing home? This will help me provide you with the appropriate legal information.
But there are other residents that can go out and smoke, why not me
**** Kim. The rules for smoking in nursing homes can differ based on location. Could you please provide the location of your nursing home?
P Presbyterian nursing home on perrysville avenue in Ross township
**** Kim. In Pennsylvania, nursing homes have the right to create their own smoking policies. They can:
- Designate specific smoking areas
- Prohibit smoking altogether
- Limit smoking to certain times
Please check with your facility's management for their specific policy.
But if others are allowed to smoke I should be allowed to
**** Kim, it's important to note that:
- Nursing homes can set their own smoking policies.
- If others are allowed to smoke, it may be due to specific permissions.
- Discuss your concerns with the facility management for clarity.
I have gone online and searched all different search engines and they all say I have the right to smoke if I want after smoking for 50 years I should not be just thrown into a nursing home and taking off something I have been doing all my life
**** Kim, I understand your frustration. It's important to remember that:
- While you do have a general right to smoke, nursing homes can impose restrictions.
- These restrictions are for the safety and health of all residents.
- It may be helpful to have a conversation with the nursing home's management.
Every other nursing home I have been out they either had a flame retardant aprons that we had to wear or we had to do a series of tests to see if we can handle a cigarette which I can do all remarkably
**** Kim, in Pennsylvania nursing homes can impose their own rules. These may include:
- Requiring flame-retardant aprons
- Passing a series of tests to prove you can safely handle a cigarette
Please discuss with your facility if they have similar provisions.
But this isn't right yes I don't drink diet
**** Kim. I understand your feelings. However, each facility has the right to set its own policies. If you're unhappy with the current rules, it may help to discuss your concerns with the facility's management.
I see their issues but you do not allow one person to smoke any other not to the laws of Pennsylvania required that a nursing home is supposed to make it as close to home as possible to the resident
**** Kim, I understand. While Pennsylvania law encourages a homely environment, it also allows nursing homes to restrict smoking for safety and health. Please speak to your nursing home's management about your concerns.
Yes that is true that is why they have smoking grounds which they do here
**** Kim, it's good that your nursing home has smoking grounds. If they're not allowing you access and others are permitted, it's essential to discuss this with the facility's management, as they may have specific rules or requirements you need to meet.
They keep passing the buck one person told me they don't allow smoking the other person tells me I am a special needs person because my legs don't work I don't smoke with my legs LOL and then others are just allowed to go outside anytime they want and smoke and I'm sitting here wondering what did I did do or not do I have gone out occasionally on trips and when I came back they had allowed me to smoke and now they're taking it away again
**** Kim, it seems there's some miscommunication. Please have a clear conversation with the facility's management. If necessary, you can consider seeking help from a legal aid service or an ombudsman who can advocate on your behalf.
I will do that thank you
**** Kim, that sounds like a good plan. Please remember that it's important to have clear communication with the management. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Good luck!