Illinois Dept. on Aging honoring long-term care residents during Residents’ Rights Month

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois Department on Aging is honoring long-term care residents as part of Residents' Rights Month. 

The Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents this October. 

The month highlights residents living in all long-term care settings, as well as gives special recognition to the work of those who work to care for them. 

Kelly Richards with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman said, "The Older Americans Act mandates the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program inform residents of their rights. This is something we do all year long. However, the designation of October as Residents' Rights Month allows us to shine a larger spotlight and highlight the rights of residents in long-term care facilities." 

The federal Nursing Home Reform Law passed in 1987 guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights, including, individualized care, respect, dignity, the right to visitation, the right to privacy, the right to complain and the right to make independent choices.