October is National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month, a time to acknowledge and call attention to the rights of residents in long-term care communities.

The Nursing Home Reform Law, passed in 1987, guarantees residents their rights, including 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 Month raises awareness about these rights and pays tribute to the unique contributions of long-term care community residents.

This year’s Residents’ Rights Month theme, Amplify Our Voices, emphasizes a community of long-term care residents coming together to make their voices heard. Amplifying one’s voice means being outspoken about preferences and choices, voicing concerns and sharing experiences. Residents’ voices are the most important at the decision-making table - their stories deserve to be told.

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has worked for nearly 50 years to promote residents’ rights. More than 5,900 volunteers and 1,300 paid staff are advocates for residents in all 50 states.

Authorized under the Older Americans Act and administered by the Administration on Aging, the program also provides information on how to find a facility, conducts community education sessions, and supports residents, their families, and the public with one-on-one consultation regarding long-term care.

Locally, we also recognize the Larimer County Ombudsman program staff and volunteers, who serve nearly 3,000 beds in 49 care communities across the county, working daily to promote residents’ rights, assist residents with complaints, and provide information to those who need to find a long-term care community.

If you or someone you love needs advocacy or information regarding resident rights, quality of life, or quality of care, reach out to the Ombudsman program at 970-498-7750 or email ombudsman@co.larimer.co.us. For more information on Residents’ Rights Month, visit theconsumervoice.org.