Today, many senior citizens are entitled to rights, whether its Medicare and Social Security benefits, or retirement home rights. No matter where they are, it is important for a senior citizen to recognize their rights and those rights that are violated. Senior citizens civil rights have changed throughout the years, even with their entitlement to civil rights, there will always be discrimination regarding that group. Rights violated should be reported to proper officials and this should be handled in a timely manner. Social Security is a major source of income for the elderly. They receive Social Security benefits based on their income when they were employed.
Senior citizens rights don’t stop when they enter a retirement home. A senior citizen should recognize their rights and those that are violated when entering and living in a retirement home. One of those rights is the right to courtesy and dignity. Caregivers should remember that a retirement home is the ELDERLY’S home, and they should be treated as individuals, such as not degrading them during activities or names, serving food in a timely manner, etc. Residents have the right to complain whether they are being treated fairly as individuals. Residents should be notified when that complaint is addressed by proper officials. The elderly also have the right to privacy. Caregivers should not share personal information unless necessary to provide proper care, resident record must also be stored securely and disposed properly. When giving personal care, doors and curtains must be closed and visitors must be asked to leave. They also have rights to personal belongings and married couples have the right to privacy. The residents have the right in the decision-making process for their care. They may choose to refuse care and see their financial and medical records. They may also choose to change caregivers and not attend certain activities. If a resident or family member feels their rights have been violated, they should report the issue. In a serious matter, call the police or local agency, charges or a lawsuit may be filed. In a less serious case, contact the retirement home staff and administration.
Many federal state laws gave been set up to protect job discrimination rights for senior citizens. Many states have their own age discrimination policies. In March 2005, the Supreme Court set up a law that employers could not discriminate against an employee based on their age. However, if an employer can prove and has tangible evidence that discrimination was based upon other factors, then the discrimination can be upheld. According to the Association for the Advanced Retired Persons, some state laws protect employees in different age ranges, some younger than 40. The ADEA, or Age Discrimination in Employment Act passed in 1967 and it protects senior citizens in the work and job area as long as position requirements are met. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sets up the federal laws for the discrimination of a prospective employee based on their age and other factors. The Family Employment Practices Agency makes sure senior citizens workers are protected under state and federal laws.
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