October is Residents’ Rights Month, a time to focus on protecting the well-being of older adults in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
This year, the theme is The Power of My Voice, a phrase that represents the courage nursing home abuse victims have to stand up and report their abusers.
Before delving into the ways you can get involved in Residents’ Rights Month 2024, it’s worth taking a minute to see how it all got started.
Residents’ Rights Month began in 1981 when, during a Consumer Voice meeting, nursing home residents suggested setting aside time to recognize and promote awareness of their rights. Clearly defined rights help prevent nursing home abuse and neglect.
After filing a petition, the nursing home advocates got the attention of senators, members of Congress, and President Jimmy Carter, establishing Residents’ Rights Month in 2011.
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) was founded in 1975 to improve the poor conditions of nursing homes in the U.S. They continue to make improvements that expand the awareness of nursing home residents’ rights throughout the country.
Learn more about the rights of residents, ways you can get involved, and how to take action if a loved one is showing signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.
What Are Residents’ Rights in Nursing Homes?
Nursing home rights and policies exist to protect residents and ensure they receive proper care. These nursing home resident rights explain what actions are allowed and how residents are protected.
Consumer Voice lists essential rights that each resident of a nursing home or other long-term care facility deserves. Understanding your rights — or those of your loved one — can greatly improve the chances of preventing nursing home neglect and abuse.
Learn more about nursing home resident rights below.
Right to a Dignified Existence
Each resident is entitled to a dignified existence. This means they deserve respect free from discrimination. Regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, all residents are entitled to equal care in a safe environment.
This also includes the right to privacy when communicating personal, financial, or medical affairs or receiving treatment.
Right to Self-Determination
Self-determination refers to residents’ ability to choose based on their personal preferences and needs.
Facilities must accommodate residents’ needs and provide clear options for activities, schedules, care, and their attending nurses.
Right to Be Fully Informed
Every nursing home resident is entitled to information about their care, like the risks and benefits of treatments or procedures.
Changes to proposed care or even room assignments must also be communicated to residents in advance. All information must be provided in a language that residents understand.
Right to Raise Grievances
Residents have the right to raise concerns about the facility or care they receive. The long-term care facility must listen to these concerns without discriminating or retaliating against them.
Residents may also raise concerns with the long-term care ombudsman program, which works to resolve issues and protect their rights.
Right to Access
Similarly, nursing home facilities must ensure residents have access to their medical records, accommodations for hearing or visual impairments, and various community activities, such as social and religious gatherings.
If you feel your loved one’s rights have been violated, the Nursing Home Abuse Center may be able to help.
Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 to connect with one of our trained patient advocates.
How You Can Support and Advocate for Residents in 2024
By simply choosing to get involved in Residents’ Rights Month, you’ll find many meaningful and effective ways to spread awareness of nursing home abuse in October.
Whether you have a loved one in a long-term care facility or want to get involved in your community, there are many ways to participate.
Here are a few ideas for participating throughout October:
- Contact your local government and encourage them to recognize October as Residents Rights Month. States like Georgia, Idaho, and Illinois have previously supported efforts to highlight nursing home residents’ rights during this time.
- Coordinate with local schools to develop educational programs. Involving young people in visiting nursing homes can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation among residents.
- Create a residents’ rights bulletin board to help educate residents on what they are entitled to. You can work with the facility to make sure it is posted properly.
- Organize arts and crafts activities for residents. Creative expression can bring joy and hope, improving the well-being of those in the care community.
- Plan regular visits to local care facilities. Engaging nursing home residents in conversation can enhance their cognitive function and emotional health.
- Write letters to residents to brighten their days. Including drawings or photos from children can increase their feelings of happiness and connection.
In addition to these ideas for celebrating residents at care facilities, Consumer Voice compiled an activity guide. The guide includes crossword and sudoku puzzles, word searches, and community-driven activities to help engage residents.
Remember, your help can ensure that residents receive the care they deserve. Any effort helps spread awareness to prevent all types of nursing home abuse.
Taking Action Against Nursing Home Abuse
While spreading awareness about nursing home rights is important, taking immediate action is crucial if you suspect abuse or neglect.
The first step in addressing nursing home abuse is recognizing the signs. Early detection can help ensure that residents receive the protection and care they deserve.
Recognizing the Signs of Abuse
There are various types of nursing home abuse, each with its own red flags to watch for.
In general, signs of abuse include noticeable changes in mood or behavior, as well as visible tension between the resident and their caregiver.
These are common signs of nursing home abuse:
- Broken personal objects, like eyeglasses, which may indicate abuse
- Unexplained injuries, including bruises, broken bones, or sensitivity to touch
- Unusual behavior, including mumbling, rocking, or withdrawal from social interaction
- Witnessing controlling, threatening, or belittling behavior from a caregiver
- Bleeding or signs of blood on the resident’s clothing
- Unexplained genital issues, STDs, or bruising
- Unfamiliar documents suggesting the resident was pressured to make changes
- Suspicious withdrawals or unexpected changes to the resident’s accounts
If you witness these or similar warning signs of abuse in a resident, it’s vital that you take action as soon as possible. Learn how and where to report abuse below.
Reporting Abuse & Neglect
You should report nursing home abuse without delay if you suspect it may be happening. If the resident is in danger, call 911 for immediate assistance.
If you suspect nursing home abuse, you can contact these resources for help:
- Adult Protective Services (APS) in your county
- Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-677-1116
- Local health care professionals
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman CRISISline: 1-800-231-4024
- National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): 1-855-500-3537
Collecting evidence of abuse — like photos, documents, and written accounts — can help you provide a thorough report to the authorities and ensure proper action is taken.
Protecting Residents and Their Rights
If you suspect that abuse may have occurred in a nursing home, it may be necessary to take legal action. If you’re eligible, our legal partners can help you file a claim for compensation.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.
Contact us today for a free case review. Don’t wait to seek justice.
