October is “Residents’ Rights Month,” an annual event designated by National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities. It is an opportunity to focus on dignity, respect, and the rights of each resident. The federal Nursing Home Reform Law guarantees residents’ rights and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity, choice, and self-determination. The law also requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each resident.” Residents’ Rights Month is a time to raise awareness of these rights and celebrate residents.
This year’s Residents’ Rights Month theme, Stand with Me, highlights the importance of solidarity and support for residents who stand up and advocate for their rights, as well as the value of encouraging the community to join residents in sharing their voices. The goal of the theme is to foster an environment where residents and the community can lean on each other for support when faced with challenges in long-term care, adapt to change, and grow stronger together. The theme features residents, staff, family members, long-term care Ombudsman program representatives, and other advocates working together to promote quality care and quality of life for residents.
For half a century, Consumer Voice has worked tirelessly to empower long-term care residents, their families, and advocates as they seek quality care and services, quality of life, and protection of rights. This year, as we celebrate our organization’s 50th anniversary (1975-2025), we remain steadfast in our mission of empowering long-term care residents. Join us throughout this year as we celebrate Consumer Voice’s storied 50 years of advocacy – continuing to center our work of raising the voices of individuals receiving long-term care.
The Resident’s Voice Challenge
Creative writing and artistic expression are meaningful and compelling ways to highlight the importance of residents’ rights and how these rights can be carried out in all long-term care settings. The Resident’s Voice Challenge encourages residents to submit essays, poems, artwork, drawings, or videos related to the theme.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of solidarity and support for residents who stand up and advocate for their rights, as well as the value of encouraging the community to join residents in sharing their voices.
In celebration of Consumer Voice’s 50th Anniversary, we are creating a coffee table book featuring residents’ voices. We’re seeking creative artwork (posters, paintings, drawings) or written entries (essays, poems) of 50 words or less. Individuals whose entries are selected for inclusion in the book will receive a complimentary copy of the book.
Use these questions to inspire you:
- What makes you feel empowered?
- Why is it important to stand up for your rights? For quality care?
- What contributes to your quality of life?
- What is needed for quality care to be provided in a long-term care facility?
- How can others (family, community members, etc.) support bringing about quality care and quality of life in long-term care facilities?
How to Submit
Read the full Resident’s Voice Challenge Criteria before submitting.
Email submissions to info@theconsumervoice.org by June 30, 2025.
- Include a mailing address with your submission for residents to receive certificates of participation.
- Submissions featuring photo or videos must include completed release forms for each resident.
