Under what circumstances can a nursing home discharge a resident?

A nursing home can discharge a resident under certain conditions, primarily focused on the needs of the resident and the capacity of the facility to meet those needs. The correct situation involves discharging a resident if their specific needs cannot be adequately met by the facility or if the facility is closing. This aligns with the legal and ethical obligations of nursing homes to provide appropriate care and to ensure the welfare of their residents. If a resident has complex medical issues or requires specialized care that the facility is not able to provide, it would be in their best interest to facilitate a transition to a more suitable environment where their needs can be met effectively. Similarly, if the nursing home is forced to close, discharge becomes a necessary action for the safety and wellbeing of all residents.

In contrast, a resident requesting to leave does not automatically necessitate discharge without considering the circumstances surrounding the request or the resident's needs. Discharging residents solely based on their age or after a specific timeframe in the facility does not consider individual care needs and rights, which are fundamental in healthcare settings. Thus, focusing on the compatibility of residents' needs with the services offered by the facility is key in determining discharge eligibility.