2021 Residents' Rights Month Activity Suggestions

​Activities & Events

• Ann Bickel of the Missouri Coalition for Quality Care appeared on public radio KBIA in Missouri (begins at 5:05). Plus, the President of the Missouri Coalition for Quality Care wrote a letter to the editor published in The Kansas City Star.
• A local Ombudsman representative in Plattsburgh, New York wrote a letter to the editor about Residents' Rights Month published in the Press-Republican.
• A letter to the editor about Residents' Rights Month was published in the Missoulian in Montana.
• An article was published in the Enid News & Eagle in Oklahoma about the long-term care Ombudsman's emphasis of residents' rights.
• The mayor of Pocatello, Idaho proclaimed October Residents' Rights.  Long-Term Care Ombudsman Liz Delaney spoke at the city council meeting (begins at 4:00).
• The Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman created an activity book for residents.
• In Nevada, the long-term care Ombudsman program highlighted Residents' Rights Month in a television clip, and the Governor declared October Residents' Rights Month.
• In Kentucky, the Barren River Long-Term Care Ombudsman is holding a "Right to Have Fun" Drive.
• Tom Louderback, Kentucky volunteer ombudsman, wrote a letter to the editor of the Lexington Herald Leader discussing Residents' Rights Month and encouraged residents and their loved ones to contact the Ombudsman program if they have care concerns.
• Idaho's Area V Ombudsman program wrote a letter to the editor of The News-Examiner discussing Residents' Rights Month and encouraged community members and residents to participate in celebrating residents' rights and to get involved in advocacy opportunities.
• An article about Residents' Rights Month appeared in Idaho's Weekly Mailer.
• A New York advocacy group voices their concerns about staffing shortages in long-term care facilities ahead of Residents' Rights Month. Read the article here.
• The Board of Weld County Commissioners in Colorado has proclaimed October as Weld County Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month.
• A volunteer ombudsman from the Jefferson Area Board on Aging in Virginia wrote a letter to the editor in The Central Virginian.
• Ombudsmen in Lewistown, PA published an article in The Sentinel about Residents' Rights Month.
• The Mayor of Corbin, KY declared October Residents' Rights Month.
• The Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is highlighting a resident right each week on their Facebook page through the month of October.
• To celebrate residents in Iowa, the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is holding a virtual celebration on Friday, October 15th. The virtual celebration will cover Governor Reynold's proclamation declaring October as Residents' Rights Month, as well as personal messages to long-term care consumers and support networks from Director Linda Miller - Iowa Department on Aging, Angela Van Pelt - State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and many others. 
• The Weld County's Area Agency on Aging in Colorado shared this video on Residents' Rights.
• The Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program in Texas purchased flashlights for residents so they can "shine light on their rights to empower them to reclaim their rights, their home, and their life!" They put together packets with their rights and lights. They also made poster board and set up times to visit each facility and do a presentation on resident rights. They then visited with each resident in their room that could not make the group presentation. See photo here.

Activity Ideas

Our NEW Enrichment Booklet offers residents a variety of activities to keep them entertained and active. This book includes puzzles, such as word searches and crosswords; prompts for residents to write about the connections in their lives; trivia questions, which can be done alone or with others; and more! (Updated 9/24/2021)

Download and print the book or purchase copies from our online store.

• Residents' Rights Month Activity Calendar (Updated 2021)
• Residents' Rights Month DIY Door Hanger
• Staying Connected - Activity ideas when visitation is limited

More Suggestions for Residents' Rights Month Activities