October is National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month, a time to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices many long-term care (LTC) residents have made to better our community and to call attention to the rights of residents in long-term care facilities.
Being a part of a community is essential to our well-being. Throughout the pandemic, residents of long-term care facilities were disconnected from the resident and staff communities within their facilities when activities and group dining were limited. Residents were disconnected from the broader local community when visitation was restricted, and many residents were unable to leave their facilities to participate in outside activities. This year’s Residents’ Rights Month 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.
Residents’ Rights Month is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate awareness of 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. Consider celebrating and acknowledging these rights by participating in Residents’ Rights Month by calling on your local officials, community members and local facilities to show their support by encouraging residents’ rights to use their voice to promote their interests, personal growth goals, and the right to live full, enriching lives.
During Residents’ Rights Month, we recognize our local long-term care ombudsman program staff and volunteers, who work daily to promote residents’ rights, assist residents with complaints and provide information to those who need to find a long-term care facility. The Ombudsman Program serves 39 Assisted Living Facilities (1059 beds) and 12 Skilled Nursing Facilities (713 beds). We advocate for the residents residing in 8 counties of the Magic Valley, (Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls) to improve the quality of life for those who live in long-term care facilities.
As CSI Office on Aging Ombudsman Program celebrates Residents’ Rights, I encourage community members to connect with those they know who live in long-term care facilities by visiting, writing letters/cards, or inquire about becoming a volunteer long-term care ombudsman. Your assistance and attention will help to ensure that the voices of long-term care residents do not go unheard and show residents that they have not been forgotten.
Marilyn Shiroma
Ombudsman Program Manager
(208) 736-2122
mshiroma@csi.edu
Website https://ooa.csi.edu
