A History of Celebrating Residents’ Rights Week

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NCCNHR

NCCNHR, The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
invites you to honor residents of long-term care settings by celebrating Residents’ Rights Week, the first full week of October (October 4-10, 2009).

This is an opportunity to show tribute to residents as well as support ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and family members who work to promote and support residents’ rights. Setting aside a week to focus on rights is an effective way to make sure that this important topic is never forgotten in your community, facility or state.

Residents’ Rights Week is designated by NCCNHR each year to highlight residents living in all long-term care
settings.

It is a time to reflect on the importance of the Nursing Home Reform Law of 1987 that promises quality of life and care and rights for each resident. During this week NCCNHR also gives special recognition to the work of thousands of individuals who collaborate daily to help assure that dignity, privacy and other basic human rights - often taken for granted in the community - are maintained as an integral part of the lives of residents living in long-term care settings.

Residents’ Rights Week originated in 1981 at a NCCNHR annual meeting. Several nursing home residents in attendance from across the United States decided that it would be special for all residents if time were set aside to celebrate residents and their rights, separate from annual National Nursing Home Week events always held in May. NCCNHR organized a successful petition drive to persuade Congress to designate a "Residents’ Rights Day."

Senator Claude Pepper (D-FL) and Senator David Pryor (D-AR) responded by introducing a Congressional Resolution for that purpose.

Since 1980, NCCNHR has preserved this tradition of celebrating Residents’ Rights, although we have extended the designation to a full week so that facility staff, family members, community advocates and ombudsmen will have flexible opportunities to conduct educational programs and festive events.

Every year, numerous states and communities designate Residents’ Rights Week! Celebrations and activities take place all over the country and include rallies, parties, training events, and more!

Thank you for working to make Residents’ Rights Week special and meaningful for all involved. Please remember to share information about how you will be celebrating Residents’ Rights Week. NCCNHR would like to highlight these celebrations on our website.

If you have questions, please call us at (202) 332-2275 ext. 222.