From the Office of the Press Secretary for President Obama:
“There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. In these hours of need and moments of pain and anxiety, all of us would hope to have a hand to hold, a shoulder on which to lean — a loved one to be there for us, as we would be there for them.
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Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides — whether in a sudden medical emergency or a prolonged hospital stay. Often, a widow or widower with no children is denied the support and comfort of a good friend. Members of religious orders are sometimes unable to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions on their behalf. Also uniquely affected are gay and lesbian Americans who are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives — unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated.
For all of these Americans, the failure to have their wishes respected concerning who may visit them or make medical decisions on their behalf has real consequences. It means that doctors and nurses do not always have the best information about patients’ medications and medical histories and that friends and certain family members are unable to serve as intermediaries to help communicate patients’ needs. It means that a stressful and at times terrifying experience for patients is senselessly compounded by indignity and unfairness. And it means that all too often, people are made to suffer or even to pass away alone, denied the comfort of companionship in their final moments while a loved one is left worrying and pacing down the hall.
Many States have taken steps to try to put an end to these problems. North Carolina recently amended its Patients’ Bill of Rights to give each patient “the right to designate visitors who shall receive the same visitation privileges as the patient’s immediate family members, regardless of whether the visitors are legally related to the patient” – a right that applies in every hospital in the State. Delaware, Nebraska, and Minnesota have adopted similar laws.”
Here in North Carolina, we are fortunate to have advocates working to ensure the respect and honor of all patients in medical care facilities. To read the North Carolina General Assembly rule related to this, click here. Provision “y” addresses this issue.
President Obama is encouraging all states to adopt such principles and rights for the reasons stated above. We are moving toward a person-centered concept of care. We encourage and support such efforts. Individuals receiving medical care deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Consider supporting efforts in your area.
Find out more about person-centered efforts in long-term care facilities in North Carolina.
Visit our Culture Change Blog dealing with person-centered efforts.
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging
Your governmental non-profit source of information for older adults and family caregivers.
www.tjaaa.org
www.fullcirclecare.org
