Skip to main content

Residents’ Rights Month

October 1-31, 2024

About Residents’ Rights Month

October is Residents’ Rights Month, an annual event designated by Consumer Voice to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities and those receiving care in their home or community. It is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate the dignity and rights of every individual receiving long-term services and supports.

Residents have the right to self-determination and to use their voice to make their own choices. This year’s theme, The Power of My Voice, emphasizes self-empowerment and recognizes the power of residents being vocal about their interests, personal growth, and right to live full, enriching lives.

“I am trying to help by speaking out so that someone quiet and afraid will be spoken for.”
- Debbie, nursing home resident

Resident's Voice Challenge Entries

Long-term care residents from across the country get creative and reflect on this year’s Residents’ Rights Month theme.

Barnes Kasson PEERs

Darway PEERs

The Power of My Voice is My Strength

Sally Graves

View Essay

Feeling Empowered

Rose Moncato

View Letter

The Power of My Voice

Audrey Gardener

View Essay

To A Book

Beth Anderson

View Letter

Home Away From Home

Cynthia Edwards

View Essay

Gerald Brittian

Ruth Humphrey

Euvie McIntosh

Michael Moore

Champion of Champions

Darwin Music

Bob Pyewell, Tim Simmons, Johnny Crick, and Ernest Barber

Provo Rehab Facility Flag

Designed by Resident Council Members

View Additional Pictures

My Wake Up Call

Patricia Bartholomew

View Poem

The Sense of Humor

James Chappel

View Essay

Gratitude

Tim Conroy

View Essay

The Power of My Voice

Gladys Hoffler

View Letter

Visitors

Debra Keske

View Poem

Denise Meyer

Tampa, FL

Denise makes a difference by painting pictures for foster children to keep with them.

Rita Campbell

Tampa, FL

Rita makes a difference by crocheting items for others in her community.

Lori Eckerle

Promotional Materials

Use these materials to promote Residents’ Rights Month in your community.

History of Residents’ Rights Month

DOWNLOAD

Reasons Facilities Should Participate

DOWNLOAD

Sample Ombudsman Newsletter Article

DOWNLOAD

Sample Letter to the Editor

DOWNLOAD

Sample Press Release

DOWNLOAD

Proclamations

Ask your state and local officials to proclaim October Residents’ Rights Month.

GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATIONMAYOR’S PROCLAMATION

Logo Usage Guideline

DOWNLOAD LOGODOWNLOAD LOGO ALTERNATE

We encourage wide promotion of Residents’ Rights Month. Please read our logo usage policy before using our logo.

Resources

Advocating for Rights and Better Care in Nursing Homes

DOWNLOAD →

How to Solve Problems in a Nursing Home

DOWNLOAD →

Taking Care of You: Tips for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities

DOWNLOAD →

My Personal Directions for Quality Living

Record your personal preferences to help your future caregivers learn about you. See a sample.

DOWNLOAD →

Advocacy Suggestions for Nursing Home Residents and Their Families

DOWNLOAD →

Put a STOP to Poor Care

DOWNLOAD →

Communication Tips

DOWNLOAD →

Products

Shop products for long-term care consumers and materials highlighting the importance of residents’ rights.

  • Residents’ Rights T-Shirts

    $25.00
  • 2025 Staying Engaged Enrichment Booklet

    $10.00
  • Sale!

    Residents’ Rights Placemats (Set of 100)

    Original price was: $50.00.Current price is: $30.00.
SHOP CONSUMER VOICE STORE

News & Events

Article in Dallas Morning News

The Senior Source, the long-term care Ombudsmen for Dallas County, was featured in the Dallas Morning News. The article highlighted how the Ombudsman program works to raise the voice of long-term care residents.

VIEW →

Article in Tahlequah Daily Press

Residents’ Rights Month and the long-term care Ombudsman program were recognized in the Tahlequah Daily Press.

VIEW →

Letter-to-the-Editor in the Times Leader

A letter-to-the-editor by a long-term care Ombudsman was published in the Times Leader.

VIEW →

DC LTCOP Video on Residents’ Rights Month

The Washington, DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman program produced a video on Residents’ Rights Month.

WATCH →

OH Governor Issues RRM Proclamation

The Governor of Ohio has issued a proclamation declaring October to be Residents’ Rights Month.

VIEW →

Midlands, TX Residents’ Rights Gala

The AAA of the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas has organized a Residents Rights Gala, which features a corn hole tournament and karaoke contest. Residents can also win bingo prizes and door prizes by answering Resident’s Rights trivia. View the flyer below.

VIEW →

Warwick, RI Mayor Issues Proclamation

The Mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island issued a proclamation declaring October to be Residents’ Rights Month.

VIEW →

Article in the Daily State News

An article was published in the Daily State News in Delaware highlighting Residents’ Rights Month.

VIEW →

Forum for Pennyrile Area Development District Residents

In Kentucky, the Pennyrile Area Development District with the Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is hosting a forum to showcase long-term care consumers.

VIEW →

IL LTCOP Sends Facility Administrators Letters on Residents’ Rights Month

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program sent letters to nursing home administrators with information about how to celebrate Residents’ Rights Month.

VIEW →

DC Mayor Issues Proclamation on RRM

The Mayor of Washington, DC issued a proclamation declaring October to be Residents’ Rights Month.

VIEW →

NC Governor Issues Proclamation on RRM

The Governor of North Carolina issued a proclamation declaring October to be Residents’ Rights Month.

VIEW →

San Francisco LTCOP Creates RRM Video

The San Francisco Long-Term Care Ombudsman program created a video to raise awareness about residents’ rights.

WATCH →

Social Media Feed

A new episode of the Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care podcast is now available. When the Biden Administration announced its intent to implement a minimum staffing standard, the nursing home industry immediately responded with cries that a standard would result in closures, loss of money to nursing homes, and that the standards could not be met. These arguments, although unsupported by evidence, were effective and resulted in the current administration rescinding the staffing rule in March. Now, a new research paper shows that the implementation of state staffing standards over the years did not result in facility closures, paid for themselves, did not impact profit margins, and increased staffing levels.Join Consumer Voice’s Sam Brooks who talks with Dr. Rachel Werner, one of the authors of the study, as they discuss the new paper and what it means for policymakers considering the implementation of staffing standards. Listen on:Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/4dgQ9BFSpotify: bit.ly/4tdt2wJSoundCloud: bit.ly/42assVt YouTube: youtu.be/znmjE2oZDKMWebsite: theconsumervoice.org/pursuingquality/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Photos from National Center on Elder Abuse's post ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
If your skilled nursing facility (SNF) says your care will be reduced because they believe Medicare will no longer cover it, remember: you have rights and support. Whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you can take action. 🟢 For Original Medicare, you have the right to request a demand bill. This means the SNF will bill Medicare, so you can get an official coverage decision before you’re asked to pay out of pocket. If coverage is denied, you still have the right to appeal.🔵 If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can request a fast review of the decision, and the plan must give you a formal notice you can use to start an appeal.These processes can feel confusing, but you’re not alone. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and your Medicare Ombudsman are here to guide you, help you understand your options, and stand up for your rights. If your SNF is reducing your care, reach out to SHIP for free, trustworthy support. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 is bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting residents in long-term care facilities by guaranteeing access to designated essential caregivers during emergencies when visitation may be restricted. Tell your members of Congress to support this important legislation and protect the health, safety, and dignity of long-term care residents. Take action here: theconsumervoice.org/news/fact-sheet-support-the-essential-caregivers-act-of-2025/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook