Residents’ Rights Month Emphasizes Importance of Residents Connecting with Their Loved Ones

October has been designated Residents’ Rights Month by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. This annual event recognizes all residents in long-term care facilities and celebrates awareness of dignity, respect and the value of each individual resident.

Long-term care residents have certain rights under the Nursing Home Reform Law, which requires nursing homes to promote and protect the rights of their residents and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity and self-determination.

This year’s theme for Residents’ Rights Month is “Connection Matters,” highlighting the importance of residents connecting with their loved ones. The coronavirus pandemic has caused visitation restrictions in long-term care facilities. The ability for residents to be with family and friends and build relationships in the community helps promote good health and quality of life. During these uncertain times, there are still ways to stay connected.

Resources and Supportive Materials

The Consumer Voice puts together a packet to help plan events for Residents’ Rights Month. The pack contains several downloadable materials in different languages. Some of these resources include an overview of federal rights, fact sheets, press releases, promotional materials, communication tips, and articles on promoting and implementing the rights of residents.

Resident‘s Voice Challenge

Long-term care residents are invited to participate in the Resident’s Voice Challenge. This year, residents are encouraged to submit artwork for a chance to be featured on a series of postcards. The artwork or drawing should reflect why connections matter to you and how you stay connected with loved ones.

Alternatively, this activity encourages residents to submit essays, poems, word collages, photos, songs, or video or audio recordings related to the theme. Participation also includes answering one of the following questions:

• How are you staying connected and engaged with loved ones and why is it so important?
• What are some new ways that connection and communication have been maintained during this time?
• What has been the impact of visitation restrictions at your facility?
• Are there challenges to staying connected and what is needed to overcome them?

Entries can be mailed or emailed to Consumer Voice to the attention of Resident’s Voice Challenge.

Ideas and Activities for the Month

The Consumer Voice has developed ideas and activity suggestions for residents to stay engaged and active while visitation is limited or restricted and all while promoting safe social distancing.

Residents can download an activity workbook that includes the following:

There are also tips for long-term care residents on how to stay better connected to family and friends, other residents and members of the larger community.

PKSD Fights for Residents’ Rights

The experienced Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers at our firm are well-versed in state and federal laws concerning the rights of residents. We know how to hold negligent nursing homes accountable for abuse and neglect. If you suspect your loved one’s rights are being violated, we are ready to help.

An initial consultation is completely free and confidential. There is no risk in calling us and no obligation to move forward. There are also no fees unless we help recover compensation for you and your family.

PKSD. A Firm You Can Trust. Ph: 414-333-3333.