October has been designated as Residents’ Rights Month. It is a time for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities along with family members, ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and others to honor the individual rights of long-term care residents.
This year’s theme is “Reclaiming My Rights, My Home, My Life.” The theme acknowledges the impact of this past year on residents, and highlights the need for residents’ rights to be recognized, recovered, and reasserted. It emphasizes the recognition of the long-term care facility as the residents’ home, and the importance of residents reclaiming their own lives.
The Ombudsman Program serves residents in Oklahoma’s Long-Term Care Facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living and similar care homes. An Ombudsman helps improve quality of life and quality of care to long-term care facility residents.
Locally, ombudsmen are available to discuss residents’ rights in long-term care facilities or help in the instance of violations of residents’ rights. Contact your local Ombudsmen, Denise Luzmoor and Cherry Love, by calling (405) 273-6410.