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Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocates
Menu
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Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocates
October 01, 2016 - October 31, 2016
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, including nursing homes, sub acute units, assisted living, board and care and retirement communities. 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. The theme for Residents' Rights Month 2016 is, "My Vote Matters" with the goal of highlighting residents' right to vote and participate in the political process.
This year's theme focuses on residents' right to vote and be engaged in the political process. Consumer engagement, including the right to vote, is a cornerstone in our society. Consumers receiving long-term services and supports retain their voting rights no matter where they live or what type of care they receive. This year's Residents' Rights Month seeks to support a consumer's right to vote and participate in the political process.
View Resident's Voice entries here.
Consumer Voice is pleased to announce the 2016 Resident’s Voice Challenge! Creative writing and artistic expression are meaningful and compelling ways to communicate the importance of residents’ rights and how these rights can be carried out in all long-term care settings.
For this year’s Resident’s Voice Challenge, residents are encouraged to pick up their pens, dust off their type writers or use a computer to display their writing or artistic skills by submitting essays, poems, artwork, drawings, or videos related to the theme for Residents' Rights Month 2016 "My Vote Matters".
Entries submitted for the Resident’s Voice Challenge will be compiled and shared in a variety of formats. Submissions may appear on the Consumer Voice website, be featured at the 2016 Annual Conference, be highlighted in our weekly e-newsletter - The Voice, or be used in additional forums. Every resident who submits an entry will receive a certificate for participating in the 2016 Resident’s Voice.
Purchase a Resident's Voice Activity Toolkit!
We are asking residents and consumers to participate in one of the following activities and submit entries using the guidelines below.
Resident President
For residents and consumers: Pretend you are running for President and your platform is long-term care consumers’ rights. Create a campaign poster or write a stump speech (or record a video of you giving your stump speech).
Campaign posters are available for purchase in the Resident’s Voice Activity Toolkit or can be downloaded here.
Find specific instructions for this activity here. For examples of completed Resident President posters, click here and here.
Most Memorable Election
Write an essay, create a poem, or express yourself artistically sharing the most memorable election in which you voted.
What Would You Tell the Current Presidential Candidates?
Imagine you got a meeting with one of the current presidential candidates. Which candidate would you speak to and why? What types of questions would you ask them?
For more information and for submission guidelines, click here. Submissions are due by September 23, 2016.
Spread the word about the Resident's Voice Challenge with this flyer.
Email entries to info@theconsumervoice.org or mail entries to:
Consumer Voice
Attn: Resident's Voice
1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 632
Washington, DC 20036
Participate in Residents' Rights Month activities and show your support of long-term care consumers' voting rights with this year's Residents' Rights Month products!
Resident's Voice Challenge Activity Toolkit - Includes 25 Resident President posters (plus instructions), two large My Voice, My Vote, My Right posters and 50 My Vote Matters stickers - $35
All components of the activity toolkit can also be purchased separately:
Large 11" x 17" Posters - Pack of 2 - $10
Small 8.5" x 11" Posters - Pack of 25 - $15 Stickers - Pack of 50 - $8 or Pack of 100 - $15
*Already have your materials? Send us photos wearing your My Vote Matters stickers and of your completed Resident President posters!
Each year, the Consumer Voice develops a packet to help you plan your Residents’ Rights events. The packet is completely downloadable and features ready-to-use items, including promotional materials, activities to celebrate Residents' Rights Month, training tools and resources. Check back as more Residents' Rights Month packet materials become available.
Promotional Materials
Consumer Voice Voting Rights Issue Page
Voter ID
Some states have recently instituted new laws which require voters to show valid photo identification in order to vote. These voting restrictions can make registering to vote or casting a ballot difficult for some elderly and disabled people. Though residents and consumers receive health services, this by itself does not legally necessitate obtaining or providing photo identification. Often, residents and consumers do not have access to the necessary forms of identification or documents required to vote.
Consumer Voice has put together a chart reviewing all 50 states' voter ID policies. The chart includes a brief description of what identification is necessary to vote in-person at a polling place and via absentee ballot in each state. (For more detailed information, visit your local elections office's website.)
Voting Resources from Consumer Voice
(NEW!) Fact Sheets for Long-Term Care Consumers - Print these fact sheets and distribute to nursing home residents, home care consumers, family members, and any other individuals interested in this important information.
(NEW!) Promising Practices for Accessible Voting in the 2016 Presidential Election - A review of successful practices during the 2012 election, plus tips for practices to incorporate this year. This fact sheet is geared towards advocates, facilities, volunteers, and ombudsmen.
(Note the following resources are from Residents' Rights Month 2012. Information is still accurate.)
Additional Resources
Residents' Rights Month is a time to offer residents an opportunity to participate in engaging activities. Use the activities below to involve residents and staff members in sharing with the community.
Activities for Residents with staff and ombudsmen:
Activities for Staff and Ombudsmen:
Alliance for Better Long-Term Care in Rhode Island is promoting residents' right to vote and the Residents' Rights Month theme, My Vote Matters. Click here to see their letter and here to see the information distributed to residents.
D.C. State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Mark Miller, goes on the air withThe Senior Zone host, Shawn Perry. In recognition of Residents' Rights Month in October, Mark spoke about the rights elders should expect when receiving long-term care. (Interview begins at 6:50). Click here to listen.
The Sentinel and Enterprise in Worcester, Massachusetts wrote a column about Residents' Rights Month and the importance of visiting residents in long-term care facilities. Read the article here.
The Missoulian in Missoula, Montana wrote an article highliting the theme of Residents' Rights Month "My Vote Matters." The article says, "During Residents’ Rights Month, Missoula Aging Services will be helping to get the word out about residents’ rights and Missoula Aging Services’ long-term care ombudsman, available in all Missoula County nursing homes and assisted living facilities for residents, their families and caregivers. During Residents’ Rights Month, we recognize our local long-term care ombudsman program staff and volunteers. The Missoula Aging Services’ Long-term Care Ombudsman Program protects residents’ rights, prevents elder abuse and resolves complaints." Read the full article here.
Missoula Aging Service's Residents' Rights Month display.
Mary Dalton, an ombudsman in Montana, joins Wake Up Missoula to talk about Missoula Aging Services's Resident's Rights Month. for more information log onto MissoulaAgingServices.org
Katrina Valliant, District Long-Term Care Ombudsman (DLTCO) in Lincoln Trail used drumming as a fun way to chant about resident rights. Sheila Howard, DLTCO in Green River participated in a panel discussion for a college gerontology class where she explained and explored with students how ombudsmen advocate for resident rights. Beth Love, DLTCO in Buffalo Trace helped residents host and coordinate a local candidate forum. Arlene Gibson of Cumberland Valley and Denise Kennedy of the Bluegrass coordinated with the National Consumer Voice and helped residents participate in national activities with residents from across the country. Vanda Chambers, Fayette County facility LTC Ombudsman individually consulted with a resident about her rights. Other DLTCO have also been busy providing Residents' Rights education sessions for residents, families, and facility staff including Tara Little of Big Sandy, Waynanne Caudill of FIVCO, Mandy Weston of Lake Cumberland, Bethany Breckel of NKY and Ceila Gutfreund of Purchase. Mayor Troy Rudder of London (pictured above) signed a proclamation designating October 2016 as Residents' Rights Month. Residents' Rights Bingo is a fun activity enjoyed by many. Susan and Gene of NHOA are pictured above leading Rights Bingo.
