Residents’ Rights Month is celebrated each October and is designated by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care* (Consumer Voice) 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, quality of care and rights for each resident.
Residents’ Rights Month originated as Residents’ Rights Week in 1981 at a Consumer Voice annual meeting. Several nursing home residents in attendance from across the U.S. decided 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. In 2011, Residents’ Rights Week was expanded to Residents’ Rights Month.
We hope that together we can make Residents’ Rights Month meaningful for all involved. Please share information about how you will be celebrating Residents’ Rights Month; we would like to highlight your celebrations on our website and Facebook page. If you have questions, please email us at: contact@yournyadvocate.com.
