Senior Citizens have Rights too!

Many times when people get older their body and their mind does not function as keenly as when they were younger. This does not mean that they should be subject to abuse from any family member or institution that they are residing. The court system set up laws to protect the aging. Senior Citizens are now in a state where they must depend on others to provide them with help concerning their living arrangements, pensions, health care and other vital things that will give them a good life.

Living in an Adult Care Facility

Every person has the right to retain their dignity, live in a safe living environment, and be provided with the necessities of life. When a senior citizen decides to give up their home and move into an Adult Care Facility they still expect maintain some normal life style. The facility may not in any way inflict bodily harm on them nor may they deprive a senior citizen of food or medication. The court systems have made laws that protect any senior from this type of existence. AARP is an organization that works for the rights of Senior Citizens. Every person has certain rights given to them by the laws of the land and they are protected by the Constitution of the United States. When a Senior Citizen enters into an Adult Care Facility they retain all their rights. They are not a second class citizen nor are they confined because of criminal activities.

Living with Family or Friends

Often when a person becomes older and is considered to be a Senior Citizen instead of moving into a nursing home or assistant living facility they may elect to move into the home of a family member or a close friend. This does not take away from any of their rights as an individual person. They are still entitled to draw their social security check or any pension check that they were entitled too before they moved. They are also entitled to receive the same quality of medical care provided to them when they lived alone. They may come and go as they please as long as they have the mental capability to do so without getting hurt or lost. A family member may not hold them against their will nor can they take their possessions away from them. It is best to make an agreement between the Senior Citizen and the persons whose home they will be residing in so that later there are no misunderstandings between the two. The Senior Citizen may leave the home at anytime they wish and the family member or friend may not stop them.

Legal Reasons to detain a Senior Citizen

Unfortunately, some Senior Citizens may suffer from dementia or Alzheimer which affects their thinking capability and power of reasoning. In some cases a senior is no longer able to care for them and might get hurt or lost. When this is the situation the family member may go to court and get custody of the Senior Citizen. It does take a written statement from a physician before the rights of a Senior Citizen can be assigned to another individual or institution.