Long-term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Week-October 5-11

Oct. 4, 2008 - PRLog -- Susan Berg dementia healthcare professional and author wants all to honor long-term care residents during Residents' Rights Week, October 5-11.

This years theme is“Recipe for Home: Defining and Creating Home in Long-Term Care Facilities”

Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities -- along with family members, ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff, and others -- will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents’ Rights Week October 5-11, 2008.

Designated by NCCNHR: The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, the week highlights the importance of residents’ participation in discussions about improving the quality of care in their long-term care facilities. There are currently some 2.5 million Americans living in 64,000 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and board and care homes across the country.

This year’s theme “Recipe for Home: Defining and Creating Home in Long-Term Care Facilities” emphasizes the importance of empowering residents to define what home means to them and to honor their choices.  This enhances the quality of life for residents, as well as the work environment for staff; resulting in less turnover and improved care.

The Nursing Home Reform Law guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights which include but are not limited to: 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 Week raises awareness about these rights and pays tribute to the unique contributions of long-term care residents.  

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to promote residents’ rights daily. More than 9,000 volunteers and 1,000 paid staff are advocates for residents in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. 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

Please join in the celebration

Susan Berg shares many actibity ideas for long term care residents at her blog http://activitiesdirector.blogspot.com

Below is another site that suggests great long term care resident, activities
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1041340/super_mi...

Susan Berg also is a contributor to Activity Director Today.
View her latest long term care activity by clicking on the link below
http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com/susan_berg.html

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Alzheimer's ideas,features Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More,a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals. Free information given