Upon admission into a nursing home, residents are afforded a special set of rights guaranteed by the federal Nursing Home Reform Law. 

To choose a personal attending physician, participate in planning care and treatment or changes in care and treatment, be fully informed in advance about care and treatment...

Of personal and medical records, private written and telephone communications, to send and receive (unopened) mail, to participate in resident groups...

The facility must provide immediate access to any resident by any representative of the Secretary, the State, the resident’s individual physician, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman...

A resident has the right to manage his or her financial affairs and the facility may not require residents to deposit their personal funds with the facility.