Every October, nursing homes across the country observe Residents’ Rights Month—an essential opportunity to raise awareness about the rights of those living in long-term care facilities. Established by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, this month-long initiative highlights the importance of respecting residents’ dignity, privacy, and freedom of choice.

Understanding these rights is crucial for families and caregivers in protecting loved ones from nursing home abuse and neglect. Here’s what you need to know about Residents’ Rights Month and how it can serve as a platform for advocacy.

The Purpose of Residents’ Rights Month

Residents’ Rights Month serves several vital purposes:

• Educating Residents and Families: It empowers nursing home residents by educating them on their rights to quality care, safety, and respect.
• Advocacy: It fosters advocacy efforts, helping to push for better care standards and policies in nursing homes.
• Raising Awareness: Residents, family members, and advocates use this time to spread awareness of the systemic issues that lead to abuse or neglect in nursing homes.

Essential Rights of Nursing Home Residents

Nursing home residents have specific rights guaranteed under federal law, most notably through the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987. During Residents’ Rights Month, these rights are emphasized to ensure facilities uphold the highest standards of care:

1. Right to Dignity and Respect
   Residents are entitled to be treated with dignity and to live in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, or abuse.
2. Right to Privacy
   Residents have the right to privacy in their personal lives, medical care, and communications with family and friends.
3. Right to Participate in Decisions
   They have the right to make decisions about their care, treatments, and even daily routines. This includes participating in care plan meetings and making informed choices.
4. Right to Complain
   Residents should be able to voice concerns or file complaints without fear of retaliation, whether about care, living conditions, or treatment by staff.
5. Right to Freedom from Abuse and Neglect
   The facility must ensure residents are protected from physical, mental, or financial abuse, as well as neglect.

How Families Can Get Involved

Residents’ Rights Month offers an opportunity for families to become more involved in the care and well-being of their loved ones. Here are ways to participate:

Join or Form a Family Council

Many nursing homes have family councils where relatives of residents gather to discuss concerns, share insights, and advocate for improvements. These councils can be instrumental in fostering change and ensuring accountability within the facility.

For families, participating in or even starting a council offers an opportunity to address common issues, such as meal quality, resident activities, or staffing concerns. It’s a way to create a collective voice that can advocate for better care standards and influence facility policies.

Volunteer at the Facility

Spending more time at the nursing home through volunteering allows families to observe the day-to-day operations more closely and build relationships with staff. This helps ensure that your loved one receives proper care and enhances the overall community environment for all residents.

Volunteering could include assisting with recreational activities, meal times, or simply spending time visiting other residents. It also fosters a sense of community and offers additional eyes and ears within the facility, which can reduce the risk of neglect or abuse.

Be a Frequent Visitor

Frequent visits can significantly affect a loved one’s quality of care. Regularly visiting your loved one allows you to monitor their well-being and engage with staff, ensuring their rights are upheld.

During your visits, take time to observe the facility’s environment, staff interactions, and your loved one’s emotional and physical health. By being consistently present, families can help deter potential neglect or abuse and address concerns as they arise.

Familiarize Yourself with State-Specific Rights

While federal laws, like the Nursing Home Reform Act, offer critical protections for residents, each state has its own laws that may provide additional rights. During Residents’ Rights Month, take the time to learn about your state’s specific regulations regarding long-term care facilities.

Being well-versed in these state-specific protections can strengthen your advocacy efforts when raising concerns. It also gives you the knowledge to hold the nursing home accountable to state standards.

Recognizing Abuse and Neglect During Residents’ Rights Month

While celebrating the progress made, it’s equally important to stay vigilant about signs of abuse and neglect. During this month, families are encouraged to assess the care their loved ones are receiving. Look out for common red flags, such as

• Unexplained injuries or bruising
• Sudden weight loss or malnutrition
• Withholding of basic needs like food, water, or hygiene products
• Emotional changes, including withdrawal or agitation.

If you notice these signs, it’s important to take immediate action. Reporting suspected abuse or neglect can prevent further harm and ensure your loved one’s rights are upheld.

Advocating for Better Care

Residents’ Rights Month is a time to celebrate the dignity and rights of nursing home residents and a critical period for pushing forward change. Abuse, neglect, and violations of residents’ rights are preventable—but only if family members, caregivers, and legal advocates work together to demand better care.

By getting involved, staying informed, and holding nursing homes accountable, we can continue to improve the lives of those in long-term care facilities. Whether through advocacy or individual action, Residents’ Rights Month reminds us all that respect and dignity should never be compromised.

Questions About a Potential Lawsuit Against a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility?

Michael Hill is a nationally recognized attorney who handles exclusively cases against long term care facilities. Michael and his firm, Michael Hill Trial Law, are headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio but handle cases across the country.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as providing legal advice or the creation of an attorney client relationship. Laws are updated frequently and change from state to state. If you desire legal advice, you can contact Michael Hill Trial Law at www.protectseniors.com, send an email to info@protectseniors.com, call (800) 659-2712 to begin an investigation, or contact another attorney.