DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 2, 2006 DHSS-89-2006 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS HONORED AT RESIDENT'S RIGHTS RALLY
October 3, 2006 Dover Sheraton 1 PM
Delaware - Across the state, 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 at the Annual Resident’s Right’s Rally Tuesday October 3, 2006 at the Dover Sheraton. The rally is part of a larger effort by the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR), to highlight the importance of why “CARE Matters” in respect to Choice, Accountability, Rights, and Empowerment (CARE) for the 2.7 million individuals living in the 62,000 nursing homes, assisted living, and board and care homes across the country. In Delaware there are nearly 5000 individuals living in 48 nursing homes in Delaware: and 4500 individuals living in 305 board and care homes and assisted living facilities.
"This year's theme, CARE Matters, 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," said Victor Orija. Delaware's Long Term Care Ombudsman."Residents are treated with dignity and respect of 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 with its day to day activities being based on and developed with consumer involvement when facilities CARE about their residents."
Many people care about residents - family members, citizen advocates, ombudsmen, facility staff, and other visitors. This care can be truly expressed in actions that promote and support: Choice, Accountability, Rights and Empowerment
In 1987, the Nursing Home Reform Law that was passed guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights which include but 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 who have made their home in other types of facilities maintain their rights as US Citizens. The Residents' Rights Rally raises awareness about these rights and pays tribute to the unique contributions of long-term residents.
Residents' Rights Rally is an excellent opportunity to re-affirm our collective commitment to residents' rights and to honor long-term care residents. We strongly encourage the community to participate in our Residents' Rights Rally others activities and to visit residents who continue to be important to our communities and society," Orija said.
Residents Rights Rally Day 1pm Tuesday, 10/3/2006 Dover Sheraton, Sauvignon Champagne, 1670 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
