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Residents' Rights Month

October 01, 2020 - October 31, 2020        

Residents’ Rights Month is an annual event designated by the Consumer Voice and is celebrated in October to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities and consumers receiving services in their home or community. It is a time for celebration and recognition offering an opportunity for every facility to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect and the value of each individual resident. 

This year's theme is “Connection Matters.” The theme emphasizes connections – to family, friends, and the community – as essential components of good health and quality of life for residents.  The months of restrictions on visitation in long-term care facilities and the inability of residents, families, and friends to be together during the coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the importance of connection, of relationships, and the impact they have on all of our well-being.   During this crisis, many creative ways of staying connected were shared that can be replicated and built upon in all communities.

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News & Events

  • Long-Term Care Ombudsmen in Montgomery County, Maryland celebrate October and Residents' Rights Month. (Photo right)
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsmen from Purchase Area Development District in Kentucky are visiting residents in nursing homes and virtually to celebrate Residents' Rights Month and play Residents' Rights Bingo.
  • In Idaho Falls, Idaho, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is putting on a Residents' Rights Roadshow, an outdoor event that will feature an open discussion on residents' rights, entertainment, and music.
  • The Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Pocatello, Idaho had an article published in The News-Examiner about Residents' Rights Month.
  • The Governor of Maryland declared October 2020 National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month.
  • An article on Residents' Rights Month was published in the Pagosa Springs Sun by a long-term care ombudsman in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
  • The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care in Minnesota had an article published in the Red Lake Nation News.
  • A long-term care ombudsman in Cape Girardeau, Missouri had a letter-to-the-editor published in the Southeastern Missourian entitled "Connection does matter."
  • Long-term care ombudsmen in Meridian, Idaho had a letter-to-the-editor published in the Idaho Press.
  • Long-term care ombudsman in North Dakota published an article on AM 1100 The Flag's website providing information on Residents' Rights Month and about how the ombudsmen have worked to encourage connections and prevent isolation during the pandemic.
  • A letter-to-the-editor was published in the Savannah Morning News in Georgia about Residents' Rights Month.
  • The Weld County Board of Commissioners proclaimed October Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month.
  • Family members held a rally in Albany, New York on October 14th protesting visitation rules that prevent them from seeing their loved ones receiving long-term care.  The protest was also held in order to bring attention to Residents' Rights Month. Read more here.
  • The Office of Rhode Island State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program partnered again this year with Disability Rights Rhode Island and sent out an informational letter regarding voting to all Rhode Island nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
  • A long-term care ombudsman in Colorado published a column in the Montrose Press.
  • The Louisiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has developed a community project called Residents Rock! to let residents know their communities are thinking about them. Read more here. 
  • Mayor Marc Caroll of Blackfoot, ID read a proclomation declaring October as National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month. An article was published in the Bingham News Chronicle detailing this proclomation.
  • An article was published in The Daily Review which discusses Residents' Rights Month and what local residents are doing to celebrate.
  • The Delaware State News has published an article about Residents' Rights Month and the important resources available to help advocate for residents and ensure quality care.
  • Two Caroll County local ombudsman representatives submitted reader commentary to the Caroll County Times about Residents' Rights Month.
  • An article was published in Delta Dunklin Democrat about Residents' Rights Month and how residents are participating. 
  • Effingham Daily News published an article about Residents' Rights Month and ways to stay connected. 
  • Colorado Regional Ombudsman Kay Kaylor wrote about Residents' Rights Month and Resident's Voice Challenge entries in The Pagosa Springs Sun. 
  • An article was published in Town Talk detailing the Louisiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program's Residents Rock! project and how communities and facilities got involved.
  • Valley Manor Care Center reached out to the community asking for community members to write about how they feel about the pandemic on wooden hearts. These hearts were displayed on the fence outside of the facility where they will remain until the end of the pandemic. This project was meant to emphasize Residents' Rights Month. Read more here.