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.

  • 2025 Staying Engaged Enrichment Booklet

    $10.00
  • Please Knock Door Hangers (Set of 100)

    $35.00
  • I Love Residents’ Rights Pencil Pouch

    $8.00
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 nursing home, assisted living, or other long-term care facility should have a comprehensive emergency plan in place just like a family should, so that people can be protected and supported in times of crisis. A nursing home, by federal law, is required to have evacuation plans in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. Read our fact sheet for questions to ask or to discuss with the facility: theconsumervoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/emergency-preparedness-factsheet-final-june.pdf ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Why does the Older Americans Act (OAA) matter? Since 1965, OAA has helped millions of older adults #StayHealthy and maintain their independence. OAA services include: ✅Senior center programs ✅Home- and community-based health care to help people age in place ✅Protections against elder abuse and elder fraud ✅ Rules and regulations for nursing homes ✅ And much more! Educate your members of Congress about the value of the OAA and encourage them to strengthen OAA funding: bit.ly/4cETCHu ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Involuntary and inappropriate discharges from nursing homes have long plagued nursing home residents and their families. Residents are often uprooted from nursing facilities (their homes) and forced into new living situations that can be unsafe and life-threatening. Join Consumer Voice on Wednesday, July 23rd at 2pm ET for a virtual screening of Involuntary, a short film that documents the devastating impact inappropriate and illegal discharges can have on nursing home residents. We'll be joined by the film's Directors Dana White and Chris Knoblock for a discussion after the screening. Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wDoHQ6eGSQ6k75BUtOGuRw#/registration ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
A new episode of the "Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care" podcast is now available on the Nursing Home Reform Act.Nearly 40 years ago, after repeated reports, articles, and studies highlighting dismal conditions in nursing homes, Congress passed the comprehensive Nursing Home Reform Act, raising the standard of care and expectations for residents of nursing homes across the country. While we are still advocating for the promise of the law to be experienced by all residents, the importance of implementing the provisions is as necessary today as they were when the law was passed. Listen to our discussion about the passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act, its critical provisions, and what additional advocacy is needed to realize its full promise for all residents.Listen on:>Spotify: bit.ly/4lM6m3s>Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/3Ij4bFW>SoundCloud: on.soundcloud.com/9WrDVR2U86rWQNTD1a>YouTube: youtu.be/NR7JrwoscQQ>Website: theconsumervoice.org/pursuingquality ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Residents of long-term care facilities - there's still time to participate in this year's Resident's Voice Challenge. Your entry could be featured in a book! theconsumervoice.org/2025-residents-rights-month/#challenge ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook