Family Presence and Communication Rights

Family Presence is the patient-and-family-centered way to describe the reliance and need for physical presence of family (as defined by the patient) at the bedside to promote trust, communication, involvement in caretaking, and shared decision-making during a hospitalization.

Do you or your loved ones have the “right” to family presence and family-centered care during COVID-19? YES!

Public safety in a pandemic necessitates modification of delivery of care, however, the legal and civil rights of those with disabilities require reasonable accommodations and non-discrimination.

• Disability Nondiscrimination in Health Care and Community Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund is a comprehensive, easy-to-read document in question and answer format.

• This COVID-19 Communication Rights Toolkit includes links to printable Patient Accommodations Request Forms in English, Spanish, and soon Chinese.

COVID 19 Fact Sheet for PWD by Family Voices Indiana on Scribd