Long-term care residents' rights

Oct. 4-10 is National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week, a time to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices many long-term care residents have made to better our community. This year's theme, "Hear Our Voice -- Residents Speak Out About Residents' Rights," calls attention to the fact that residents of long-term care facilities have a voice that should be part of decision-making in the facilities.

By listening to residents' voices, caregivers will treat long-term residents with dignity and respect for their full individuality. Staff and residents will enjoy relationships that enhance their day-to-day lives. And the long-term care facility will operate more effectively. Many people care about residents: family members, citizen advocates, ombudsmen, facility staff. This care can be individualized and focused on each person's needs and preferences.

Celebrate and acknowledge these rights by participating in Residents' Rights Week events and by calling on your elected officials and local facilities to show their support.

During Residents' Rights Week, we recognize our long-term care ombudsman program staff and volunteers who work daily to promote residents' rights, assist residents with complaints and provide information to those who need to find a long-term care facility. The ombudsman program of Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging serves 18 counties with over 170 facilities. Region 2 has 43 trained ombudsman volunteers.

If your are interested in becoming an ombudsman volunteer, please call me at 335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771. I encourage community members to visit someone they know in a long-term care facility and participate in Residents' Rights Week events.

JAN McFERRON, Region 2 ombudsman director, Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging, Cape Girardeau.