A nursing home is a residential-living and medical-care facility for people who do not need the degree of medical care provided by a hospital but who need some regular medical attention. Most nursing homes have nursing aides, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) on staff and available 24 hours a day.
Some nursing homes have special care units for people with serious memory problems such as Alzheimer’s disease. And some nursing homes will allow couples to live together. Most nursing home residents are older persons but other adults who require 24-hour care may also live in nursing homes.
In Texas, nursing homes are regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which ensures that these facilities comply with state and federal laws. Nursing homes in Texas are required to provide 24-hour nursing services, which include the presence of nursing aides, LVNs, LPNs, and RNs. They must also meet specific standards for resident care, staffing, medication management, and safety. Special care units for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other serious memory conditions must adhere to additional regulations to ensure the safety and specialized care for these residents. Texas law also allows for the accommodation of couples in nursing homes, provided the facility can meet the needs of both individuals. The rights of nursing home residents are protected under Texas law, including the right to receive adequate and appropriate healthcare, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have their personal and medical privacy protected.
