Human rights: equality for all residents in residential nursing homes.

• Jurisdiction: Australia
• Author: Maunder, Lois
• Date: 01 March 2013

Many thanks to Lauren O'Brien and Evonne Bethavas for the article titled The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and its impact on the nursing profession (ANJ, February 2013, p25). Also thank you to Lorraine de Kleuver for the article titled Human Rights: meaningless to those with mental health issues (ANJ, February 2013, p24).

I am a Registered Nurse, STN, working in a public hospital and my work ethic includes the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) Code of Ethics and the ANMC Code of Conduct. As nurses, we are constantly challenged by various moral and ethical issues with regard to our patient care. Articles such as this are valuable in assisting us with our thought processes.

I would like to present another viewpoint with regard to human rights in the setting of a residential nursing home. My view has been established through exposure to a number of aged care facilities both as a nurse and a family member.

My sister and I have been advocates for our mother who was diagnosed with dementia 15 years...