Nursing Home Resident Rights

Summary

If a nursing home moves a resident without permission, you can file a complaint with the Indiana State Department of Health and consult an elder law attorney. Ombudsmen can advocate but lack legal authority to enforce actions. For legal advice, use the Indiana Bar Associations directory.

Full Conversation

I live in Indiana. My father is in a nursing home. They moved him without my permission from a secure memory floor to an assisted living floor. They accepted and agreed to care for him. We had a meeting last week with an ombudsman and he agreed we with us and told them that they shouldn’t have moved him. He told them they should move him back and they won’t. What can happen now? What’s my legal right
Hi ****,
To address your situation, consider the following steps:
- **File a Complaint**: Contact the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to file a complaint about the nursing home's actions.
- **Legal Counsel**: Consult with an elder law attorney to explore further legal action.
- **Ombudsman Follow-Up**: Request the ombudsman to escalate the issue.
Would you like contact details for the ISDH or more information on elder law attorneys in Indiana?
Yes

Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH)


Phone: (*) *-*
Address: * N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN *
Website: www.in.gov/isdh

For elder law attorneys, you can visit the Indiana Bar Association's website to find a qualified attorney in your area. Would you like more information on how to proceed with the legal counsel route?
Can ombudsman’s have legal authority to make them move him back?
Hi ****,
Ombudsmen can advocate and mediate on behalf of residents, but they don't have legal authority to enforce actions like moving your father back. They can, however, escalate the issue and suggest legal steps. Consulting an elder law attorney may provide enforceable solutions.
Would you like more details on finding an elder law attorney?
Yes
Hi ****,
To find an elder law attorney, you can use the Indiana Bar Association's directory. They can provide legal advice and potentially enforce actions regarding your father's situation.
~Indiana Bar Association~
Website: www.inbar.org

Would you like more information on how to navigate the directory or any other help?
Thank you
You're welcome, ****. If you need any further assistance regarding your father's situation or navigating the Indiana Bar Association's directory, feel free to ask. We're here to help!
Okay. Thank you again
You're welcome, ****. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. We wish you the best in resolving your father's situation. Take care!