August 1, 2018 Resources to help Ombudsman programs prepare for
Residents' Rights Month! 
October is “Residents’ Rights Month,” an annual event designated by Consumer Voice to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities. Residents’ Rights Month is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate the awareness of dignity, respect, and the rights of each resident. The federal Nursing Home Reform Law guarantees residents’ rights and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity, choice, and self-determination. The law also requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each resident.” This year's theme is “Speak Up: Know Your Rights and How to Use Them.” The theme emphasizes the importance of residents being informed about their rights; being engaged partners in achieving quality care and quality of life; and feeling confident in speaking up about what is important to them. 
Resources and Materials  Each year a packet of materials is put together and features ready-to-use items, including promotional materials, activity ideas, training tools, and resources.
Ombudsman programs can: - share the free resources and activity ideas with residents, families, and facility staff,
- encourage residents to participate in the Resident’s Voice Challenge, and
- use the outreach examples to promote Residents’ Rights Month.
Promotional Materials Actvity Ideas for Facilites Resident's Voice Challenge Long-term care consumers are encouraged to pick up their pens, dust off their type writers or use a computer to display their writing or artistic skills by submitting essays, poems, artwork, drawings, or videos related to the theme for Residents' Rights Month "Speak Up: Know Your Rights and How to Use Them." Find more information by reading the Residents' Voice guidelines here, and view previous submissions here. The deadline to submit an entry is September 1, 2018. Spread the word about the Resident's Voice Challenge with this flyer. Resources Residents' Rights Month Products Residents Rights Fact Sheets 
Consumer Voice has translated a Residents’ Rights fact sheet into several different languages including: English; French; Spanish; Chinese; Korean; Tagalog; Russian; and Braille. View the fact sheet online for free or purchase bulk hard copies on their website here.
2018 Residents' Rights Month Buttons
Perfect to give to volunteers, residents or other advocates! Available in packs of 20, 50, and 100. Residents' Rights Bookmarks
 
Easy-to-read, laminated bookmarks - a tangible reminder of these important rights. Available in packs of 10 or 25. Residents' Rights Poster Series
The set includes five 11"x17" poster each featuring a different essential residents' right and a quote from a resident illuminating the importance of the right. The poster series are a useful visual reminder of residents' rights. See all five posters here. Available in a set of 5 posters or as a bundle including 10 bookmarks. 
For more information on Residents' Rights Month visit the NORC website. Read archived issues of NORC Notes here. If you have a question, are not able to find a resource, or want to share training materials or program practices, please email ombudcenter@theconsumervoice.org. | 
