It is the intent of the General Assembly to promote the interests and well-being of the patients in nursing homes and adult care homes licensed pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-102, and patients in a nursing home operated by a hospital which is licensed under Article 5 of Chapter 131E of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. It is the intent of the General Assembly that every patient’s civil and religious liberties, including the right to independent personal decisions and knowledge of available choices, shall not be infringed and that the facility shall encourage and assist the patient in the fullest possible exercise of these rights. (1977, c. 897, s. 1; 1983, c. 143, s. 2; c. 775, s. 1; 1995, c. 509, s. 72; c. 535, s. 25.)