Lesson 2: Client Rights

After this lesson, the Home Care Aide will be able to:

1. Recognize a client’s legal and human rights as protected by federal and state law;
2. Take appropriate action to promote and protect a client’s rights to confidentiality,
   dignity, privacy, and a restraint-free environment; and
3. Encourage and support a client’s maximum independence when providing care.

Key Terms

Abuse (RCW 74.34.020): willful action or inaction that inflicts injury, unreasonable confinement,
intimidation, or punishment of a vulnerable adult, including sexual abuse, mental abuse, physical abuse, personal exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and improper use of restraint against a vulnerable adult.
Advance directives: a written document of a person’s wishes regarding medical care in the event they become unable to make decisions for themselves.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): manual chest compressions and ventilation in an attempt to restart a person’s heart.
Confidential: private, secret information not to be shared unless necessary for the client’s care.
Grievance: a formal complaint.
Guardian: a person authorized by the court to act and make decisions in the best interest of a client who is incapacitated.

Incapacitated: unable to act, make, or communicate sound decisions (i.e. a person is unable to make decisions about their care.)
Involuntary seclusion: making a person stay alone against their will, a form of mental abuse.
Ombuds: a person who advocates for the rights of clients in long-term care facilities.
Restraints: an object or method for restricting movement for discipline or convenience and not medically necessary. The use of restraints is illegal.
Vulnerable adult (RCW 74.34.020): a person sixty years of age or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for himself or herself; or found incapacitated under chapter 11.88 RCW; or who has a developmental disability as defined under RCW 71A.10.020; or admitted to any facility; or receiving services from home health, hospice, or home care agencies licensed or required to be licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW; or receiving services from an individual provider; or who self-directs his or her own care and receives services from a personal aide under chapter 74.39 RCW.