COLUMBUS, Ohio – In recognition of Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month this October, the Ohio Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman has announced the creation of the Ohio Residents’ Rights Council, a new statewide initiative designed to strengthen the voices of nursing home residents.
The council brings together presidents of resident councils from nursing homes across Ohio. It will provide a platform for members to share experiences, exchange best practices, and discuss issues impacting residents’ daily lives.
“Resident councils are a vital part of long-term care,” said State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Leilani Pelletier. “The Ohio Residents’ Rights Council ensures that residents’ voices are not only heard, but amplified across the state.”
Ohio’s resident councils are federally required under the Nursing Home Reform law of 1987. They play a key role in improving quality of care, protecting residents’ rights, and fostering community involvement within long-term care facilities.
Director Ursel J. McElroy of the Ohio Department of Aging added, “Through initiatives like the Long-Term Care Quality Navigator and the EXCEL Academy, we continue to prioritize residents’ rights and well-being, aligning with our North Star vision: quality of life, quality of care, elder rights, and system performance.”
The statewide initiative coincides with a proclamation by Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, honoring the more than 122,000 Ohioans living in nursing homes, assisted living, and residential care facilities.
Residents’ Rights Month highlights the legal protections for long-term care residents, including the right to independent decision-making, dignity and respect, and the ability to present grievances. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program plays a central role in safeguarding these rights, providing mediation, advocacy, and education to residents and staff.
Currently, more than 250 Ombudsmen across Ohio serve residents in both facility and home-based settings. To contact a regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman, visit ombudsman.ohio.gov or call 1-800-282-1206.
For more information about the Ohio Residents’ Rights Council and Residents’ Rights Month, visit the Ohio Department of Aging website at www.aging.ohio.gov.
