What is Residents’ Rights Month?

October honors residents living in all long-term care facilities and also, those receiving care in their home or community. Residents Rights Month raises awareness about these rights and pays tribute to the unique contributions of long-term residents. 
The Nursing Home Reform Law, passed in 1987, guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights, including but not limited to:

• individualized care, respect, dignity,
• the right to visitation and privacy
• the right to complain, and the right to make independent choices.

What’s the 2020 Theme for the month?

This year’s theme is “Connection Matters”. The theme emphasizes connections – to family, to friends, and to the community – as an essential component of good health and quality of life for residents. 
During this crisis, many creative ways of staying connected were shared that can be replicated and built upon in all communities.
Most importantly, call a loved one or an ombudsman who is specifically trained to advocate for the rights of older adults and those with disabilities if you feel your rights are in question.

Voting Rights in Colorado

You, yes you, have the right to vote!

Here is everything you need to know about voting in a long term care facility to vote here in Colorado:
 You must be a U.S. citizen and a Colorado resident for 22 days in order to vote in Colorado.
 There must be at least one accessible voting system in each Voting Service and Polling Center and all voting places must be accessible.
 Registration forms, ballots, and other materials must be made available in alternate formats that are accessible
 Individuals with disabilities have a right to reasonable modifications and auxiliary aids that make it possible for them to participate in government programs and services which includes federal and state elections.
 A person with a disability may vote alone or with assistance from a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or an agent of the voter’s union and you may have extra time to cast your vote.
 Voting machines must provide all voters with the ability to independently and privately cast, verify, and correct their ballot before it is counted.
 If you need assistance completing and filing a complaint, you can contact Disability Law Colorado’s VOTE! Program at (303) 722-0300.

Call your local ombudsman Tina at 970- 531- 2980 or reach out via email at tstrang@nwccog.org

Go Vote!

“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world.”

– Sharon Salzberg

Call your local ombudsman Tina at 970- 531- 2980 or reach out via email at tstrang@nwccog.org

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The post Residents Rights Month 2020 first appeared on Vintage.