Nursing Home Discharge Rights

Summary

Nursing homes in Florida generally cannot force residents to stay if they wish to leave. However, discharge may require a doctors approval to ensure medical stability and proper follow-up care. Financial issues or legal guardianship can also impact the process. If a nursing home suggests assisted living due to conditions like an unclean apartment, consider discussing your discharge plan with the administrator, seeking a second medical opinion, or consulting an elder care attorney. For legal assistance in Brevard County, contact Brevard County Legal Aid or the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service. For patient advocacy, reach out to the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Full Conversation

In Florida if you are in a nursing home and want to go home can they force you to stay?
****, nursing homes generally can't force residents to stay if they want to leave. However, certain conditions might apply, such as:
- Medical necessity: A doctor might need to approve the discharge.
- Financial issues: Unpaid bills could complicate the discharge process.
- Legal guardianship: A guardian might need to consent.
Is there a specific reason or condition you're concerned about?
Yes, why would a doctor have to sign some one out, under what type of conditions?
A doctor might need to sign someone out of a nursing home under conditions such as:
- Ensuring the patient is medically stable for discharge.
- Confirming that the patient has appropriate follow-up care.
- Assessing that the discharge plan meets the patient's health needs.
Is there a specific situation you are dealing with regarding a discharge?
Yes. 1st they told me to stay * weeks so they could arrange a nurse to come to my home to check on my leg that previously had become infected, leading me to go to the hospital and the hospital sending me to this nursing home.
****, it seems like the nursing home is ensuring you have proper follow-up care before discharging you.
- Medical necessity: They want to make sure your leg infection is properly monitored.
- Discharge plan: Ensuring a nurse visits your home for care.
Has the nursing home provided a clear timeline or updates on arranging the nurse visit?
Then all of a sudden they said they could npt send me home, but would put me in a assisted living care type of situation permanenty. All they said was that my apartment had stunk. I have my own apartment, and a house keeper to clean who had not gotten there yet up until the time I went to the hospital and after.
****, it sounds like there might be some confusion or miscommunication regarding your discharge plan. You may want to:
- Request a meeting with the nursing home administrator to discuss your discharge plan.
- Ask for a second medical opinion regarding your ability to return home.
- Consult with a patient advocate or attorney specializing in elder care to understand your rights.
Would you like more information on how to contact a patient advocate or legal assistance in New York?
I need legal assistance in Brevard County, Sunrise Florida?
Since you need legal assistance in Brevard County, Florida, here are some resources you can contact:

Brevard County Legal Aid, Inc.


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.brevardcountylegalaid.org

Would you like more information on patient advocates or any other resources?
Yes
Sure, here are some additional resources for patient advocacy:

Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program


Phone: *-*-*-*
Website: www.ombudsman.myflorida.com

Would you like more information on anything else or have additional questions?
free connections with expert lawyers For Brevard County, Sunrise Florida?
For free connections with expert lawyers in Brevard County, Florida, you can contact:

Brevard County Legal Aid, Inc.


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.brevardcountylegalaid.org

Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service


Phone: *-*-*-*
Website: www.floridabar.org

Would you like assistance with anything else or have additional questions?
Yes, I liked your answers.
Thanks for your feedback, ****! I'm glad you found the information helpful. If there's anything else you need assistance with or any other questions you have, feel free to let me know!
Yes. but I will come back later to ask my other question. Thank you for your help.
Thank you, ****! I'm glad I could help. Whenever you're ready to ask your other question, feel free to reach out. Have a great day!