North Carolina's Bill of Rights for Adult Care Home Residents
(Condensed Version)

EVERY RESIDENT SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:

1. To be treated with respect, consideration, dignity and full recognition of his or her individuality and right to privacy.
2. To receive care and services which are adequate, appropriate, and in compliance with relevant federal and State laws and rules and regulations.
3. To receive upon admission and during his or her stay a written statement of the services provided by the facility and the charges for these services.
4. To be free of mental and physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
5. Except in emergencies, to be free from chemical and physical restraint unless authorized for a specified period of time by a physician according to clear and indicated medical need.
6. To have his or her personal and medical records kept confidential and not disclosed without the written consent of the individual or guardian, which consent shall specify to whom disclosure may be made except as required by applicable state or federal statute or regulation or by third party contract.
7. To receive a reasonable response to his or her requests from the facility administrator and staff.
8. To associate and communicate privately and without restriction with people and groups of his or her own choice on his or her own or their initiative at any reasonable hour.
9. To have access at any reasonable hour to a telephone where he or she may speak privately.
10. To send and receive mail promptly and unopened, unless the resident requests that someone open and read mail, and to have access at his or her expense to writing instruments, stationery, and postage.
11. To be encouraged to exercise his or her rights as a resident and citizen, and to be permitted to make complaints and suggestions without fear of coercion or retaliation.
12. To have and use his or her own possessions where reasonable and have an accessible, lockable space provided for security of personal valuables. This space shall be accessible only to the residents and the administrator, or supervisor-in-charge.
13. To manage his or her personal needs funds unless such authority has been delegated to another. If authority to manage personal needs funds has been delegated to the facility, the resident has the right to examine the account at any time.
14. To be notified when the facility is issued a provisional license by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Resources and the basis on which the provisional license was issued. The resident's responsible family member or guardian shall also be notified.
15. To have freedom to participate by choice in accessible community activities and in social, political, medical, and religious resources and to have freedom to refuse such participation.
16. To receive upon admission to the facility a copy of this section.
17. To not be transferred or discharged from a facility except for medical reasons, their own or other residents' welfare, or nonpayment. Except in cases of immediate jeopardy to health or safety, residents shall be given at least 30 days advance notice of the transfer or discharge and their right to appeal.

North Carolina's Bill of Rights for Nursing Home Residents
(Condensed Version)

1. To be treated with consideration, respect, and full recognition of personal dignity and individuality.
2. To receive care, treatment, and services that are adequate and appropriate, and in compliance with relevant federal and State rules.
3. To receive at the time of admission and during stay, a written statement of services provided by the facility and of related charges. Charges for services not covered under Medicare and Medicaid shall be specified.
4. To have on file physician's orders with proposed schedule of medical treatment. Written, signed evidence of prior informed consent to participation in experimental research shall be in patient's file.
5. To receive respect and privacy in his medical care program. All personal and medical records are confidential.
6. To be free of mental and physical abuse. To be free of chemical and physical restraint unless authorized for a specified period of time by a physician according to clear and indicated medical records.
7. To receive from the administrator or staff of the facility a reasonable response to all requests.
8. To receive visitors or have access to privacy in phone use at any reasonable hour. To send and receive mail promptly and unopened, with access to writing materials.
9. To manage his/her financial affairs unless other legal arrangements have been so ordered.
10. To have privacy in visits by the patient's spouse.
11. To enjoy privacy in his/her room.
12. To present grievances and recommend changes in policies and services without fear of reprisal, restraint, interference, coercion or discrimination.
13. To not be required to perform services for the facility without resident's consent and written approval of the attending physician.
    
14. To retain, to secure storage for, and to use his personal clothing and possessions, where reasonable.
15. To not be transferred or discharged from a facility except for medical, financial, or their own or other patient's welfare. Any such transfer shall require at least thirty(30) days' notice, unless the attending physician orders immediate transfer, which shall be documented in the patient's medical record.
16. To be notified when the facility's license is revoked or made provisional. The responsible party or guardian must be notified, also.