Nursing Home Neglect: Can a Patient With Dementia Refuse Care?
Dementia patients have the right to accept or refuse medical care, so long as they demonstrate adequate mental capacity. The U.S. Constitution protects a person’s basic freedoms, including the right to privacy and protection against actions of others that may threaten bodily integrity. However, when a dementia patient’s mental capacity is shown to be inadequate, they no longer have the right to accept or refuse medical care. So, can a patient with dementia refuse care? Determining Competency and Legal Rights of Dementia Patients How does competency affect the [...]