CATEGORIES OF NURSING HOMES -- SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES, RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES -- ARE IDENTIFIED ALONG WITH FEDERAL AND STATE STANDARDS WHICH MUST BE MET FOR PUBLIC FUNDING THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS. REASONS UNDERLYING PATIENT VULNERABILITY ARE DISCUSSED (I.E., WEAKENED PHYSICAL CONDITION, ISOLATION, FEAR OF REPRISALS) FOLLOWED BY DETAILS ON PATIENT RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO A NORMAL ENVIRONMENT, FREEDOM FROM CONSTRAINTS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, FREEDOM FROM REPRISALS, PROTECTION FROM FORCED LABOR, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE, THE RIGHT TO SERVICES, AND THE RIGHT TO MANAGE PERSONAL FINANCES. FEDERAL AND STATE ROLES IN ENFORCING STANDARDS OF CARE ARE OUTLINED REGARDING INSPECTIONS, DEFICIENCIES, COST DATA DISCLOSURES, INVESTIGATIONS OF CONDITIONS, AND THE PATIENT'S RIGHT OF ACCESS TO CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION. THE USE OF LITIGATION IN SAFEGUARDING PATIENT RIGHTS IS ASSESSED IN TERMS OF DAMAGES, SUITS AGAINST GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, FAIR HEARINGS, AND PRIVATE ADVOCACY. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CHOOSING A NURSING HOME INCLUDE COSTS, SERVICES, AND MEDICARE AND MEDICAID QUALIFICATIONS. ALTERNATIVES TO NURSING HOME CARE (I.E., HOME HEALTH CARE AND THERAPY OPTIONS) ARE REVIEWED. FINALLY, THE ISSUE OF INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER IS BROACHED, WITH EMPHASIS ON UTILIZATION REVIEW PROCEDURES AND TRANSFER TRAUMA. COURT DECISIONS, FEDERAL STATUTES, AND OTHER REFERENCE SOURCES ARE FOOTNOTED. (KBL)