Payson Roundup

Editor:

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, was selected to call attention to the fact that residents of long-term care facilities have a voice; and that voice should be part of decision-making in long-term care facilities.

By listening to residents’ voices, they will be treated with dignity and respect of their full individuality; staff and residents will enjoy relationships that enhance their day to day lives. Residents, family members, citizens’ advocates, ombudsmen, facility staff, etc. can celebrate and acknowledge these rights through participating in Residents’ Rights Week events.

We at Rim Country Health and Retirement Community will be celebrating Residents’ Rights Week with a social on Friday, Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Our address is 807 W. Longhorn Road, here in Payson. Everyone is invited.

During Residents’ Rights Week we recognize our local 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. In this area, the ombudsman program serves Gila County. They can be contacted by calling 1-800-293-9393.

As Rim Country Health & Retirement Community celebrates residents’ rights, I encourage community members to visit someone they know in a long-care facility. Your assistance and attention helps to ensure that the voices of long-term care residents do not go unheard.

Marie Mennen, ADC, activity director,

Rim Country Health and Retirement