For Immediate Release:
October 9, 2007
Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062
Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Week
Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities--along with family members, ombudsmen, and facility staff--will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents’ Rights Week October 7 – 13, 2007. The week highlights the importance of residents’ participation in discussions about improving the quality of care in their long-term care facilities. Almost 54,000 Missourians live in nursing homes, residential care facilities and assisted living facilities.
“This year commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Nursing Home Reform Law, which recognizes residents’ rights to make individual choices in how they receive care and to form independent resident councils,” says Carol Scott, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. “This year’s theme, ‘Advancing Excellence: A Resident’s Perspective on Quality,’ urges long-term care facilities to make resident participation an integral part of advancing excellence.”
The Nursing Home Reform Law guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights, which include, but are not limited to, individualized care, respect, dignity, the right to visitation, the right to privacy, the right to complain, and the right to make independent choices. Residents’ Rights Week raises awareness about these rights and pays tribute to the unique contributions of long-term care residents.
The Missouri State Long-Term Ombudsman Program hosted a kickoff rally for Residents’ Rights Week October 4 in the Missouri State Capitol. Around 133 people attended, including residents, facility staff, family members, ombudsmen, and legislators, to celebrate long-term care residents and renew their commitment to respect their rights. Speakers included Sen. Carl Vogel, Rep. Bob Nance and Rep. Billy Pat Wright. They presented Gov. Matt Blunt’s proclamation declaring October 7-13, 2007, as Residents’ Rights Week in Missouri.