Ohio Department of Aging Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 1, 2009

Honor Long-term Care Residents During Residents' Rights Week, Oct. 4-10
Residents and Advocates Want the World to "Hear Our Voice"

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Aging and the Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman join with residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, family members, ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and others to honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents' Rights Week Oct. 4-10, 2009.

"Since the 1970s, Ohio has had a model Resident Bill of Rights in state law and the federal nursing home reform law of 1987 reinforced those rights to information, choice, safety and quality care," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "Anyone who lives in a long-term care facility needs to know that while they are no longer in their own homes, they have not given up the right to independence."

"Rights that all long-term care residents enjoy include individualized care, respect, dignity, the right to visitation, the right to privacy, the right to complain, and the right to make independent choices," added Beverley Laubert, the State Long-term Care Ombudsman. "These rights apply to all residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, board and care facilities and other long-term care settings."

Residents' Rights Week is sponsored nationally by NCCNHR: The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. This year's theme, "Hear Our Voice," emphasizes the fundamental rights of all long-term residents to be treated with the appropriate care they deserve and need to maintain quality of life. The state department of aging and the state ombudsman also use this week to recognize the hundreds of long-term care facilities across the state that do their part to uphold residents' rights through staff and resident education programs, resident and family councils and more.

"Your Rights as a Resident of a Nursing Home or a Residential Care Facility" is a free brochure from the Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman. Copies are available by calling 1-800-282-1206 or by visiting www.aging.ohio.gov, search keyword "residents' rights."

About the Office of the Long-term Care Ombudsman

Ohio's Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman works with regional ombudsman programs, volunteers, consumers, service providers and other state and county agencies to resolve complaints about services, helps people select service providers, and offers information about benefits and consumer rights.

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov.