Senior & Disabilities Services

Quality Assurance
Your Rights and Reasonable Expectations

 

 

The rights and reasonable expectations of Care Coordination consumers include:

  • The right to be treated with respect and dignity.
  • The right to privacy and confidentiality.
  • The right to self-determination
  • The right to choose between home/community-based services and institutional care.
  • The right to participate in the development of the plan of care.
  • The right to obtain information about the plan of care from the Division of Senior Services by calling 1-907-269-3666 or 1-800-478-9996.
  • The right to refuse any portion of the plan of care.
  • The right to withdraw from the process at any time.
  • The right to change service providers, including care coordinators, at any time.
  • The right to be given a fair and comprehensive assessment of their health and functional, psycho-social and cognitive ability.
  • The right to access needed health and social services.
  • The right to be notified in writing of any denial, termination or change in services
  • The right to a grievance procedure in the event the consumer believes rights have been violated or that he/she has been treated improperly.
  • The right to appeal any decision about eligibility or the plan of care by contacting the Division of Medical Assistance Fair Hearing Representative by calling 1-907-562-3671 or 1-800-211-7470.

[Source: 2001 Care Coordination Manual]

 

The rights and reasonable expectations of an assisted living home resident include:

  • The right to a safe and sanitary environment;
  • The right to be treated with consideration and respect for personal dignity and individuality.
  • The right to privacy, including privacy in:
    • Medical examinations and/or health related consultations;
    • The resident's room or portion of the room;
    • Bathing and toileting, except for assistance specified in the plan of care;
    • Personal possessions;
    • Communications, including:
      • Receiving and sending unopened correspondence;
      • Access to a telephone;
      • Closed door communication with guests during established visiting hours;
  • The right to keep at least one cabinet or drawer locked;
  • The right to possess and use personal clothing and property;
  • The right to participate in community activities;
  • The right to benefit from benefit from community services;
  • The right to manage one's own money;
  • The right to participate in the development of the assisted living plan of care;
  • The right to share a room with a spouse if both are residents of the home;
  • The right to exercise and go outdoors at regular intervals, weather permitting;
  • The right to exercise civil and religious liberties;
  • The right to access health care;
  • The right to self-administer one's own medications; unless specified in the plan of care;
  • The right to meals consistent with religious and health restrictions;
  • The right to 90 days prior notice of closing or relocation of the assisted living home;
  • The right to 30 days prior notice of the assisted living home's intent to terminate the resident's contract;
  • The right to present grievances and recommendations to the home;
  • The right to access files relating to the resident; and
  • The right to receive a written copy of assisted living resident rights.

[Source: AS 47.33.300, 47.33.080 and 47.33.360]

 

Assisted living home owners and staff are prohibited from the following acts:

  • Depriving a resident their legal rights, benefits or privileges;
  • Restraining, discriminating, interfering with, coercing or retaliating against a resident for asserting their legal rights;
  • Entering a resident's room without permission, except:
    • During regular, previously announced, fire, sanitation, or other licensing inspections;
    • During a condition or situation of imminent danger;
    • As required by the plan of care; or
    • For other vital health or safety reasons;
  • Imposing religious beliefs or practices on the resident;
  • Placing the resident under physical restraint, unless the resident's actions present imminent danger to self or others;
  • Placing a resident under chemical restraint;
  • Compeling a resident to perform services for the home; and
  • Acting as a resident's representative.
[Source: AS 47.33.330]