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Luncheon highlights long-term care residents’ rights
By Louisa Weeden
Elder Services recognized the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents’ Rights Week, October 7 to 13, with special luncheon.
The fourth annual event was held at the Ralph Froio Senior Center in Pittsfield, and was attended presidents and vice presidents the Residents’ Councils of 13 Berkshire County’s long-term care facilities as well as some of the facilities' residents.
Those participating represented Berkshire Retirement Home, Springside, Great Barrington Health Care, Providence Care, Craneville Place, Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center, Sweetbrook Care Center, Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility, Timberlyn Heights, and Williamstown, Fairview, Hillcrest, and North Adams Commons.
A delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings was prepared by Elder Services’ Lanesboro kitchen and enjoyed by the 65 diners. The event has grown from the first luncheon four years ago, which was attended by 28 participants representing seven nursing homes.
Entertainment was provided by John Bedard on piano and by the Rhythm Belles, a group of line dancers from North Adams, consisting of Molly Asher, Mary Dean, Evelyn Gallese, Liz Hannock, Brigeta Fuhrmann, Ira Trabold, and Lucille Shanz, who sang at the event as well as dancing with the Rhythm Belles. The dancers range in age from 61 to 94.
Designated by the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, Residents’ Rights Week highlights the importance of residents’ participation in discussions about improving the quality of care in their long-term care facilities. There are currently some 2.7 million Americans living in 62,000 nursing homes, assisted, living facilities, and board and care homes across the country.
Elder Services Long Term Care Ombudsman program has worked tirelessly for more than 25 years to promote residents’ rights. Currently, 23 ombudsman volunteers make weekly visits to the 17 nursing and rest homes in Berkshire County to assist residents with complaints, provide information to residents and families, and advocate for positive change in the long-term care system. Ombudsman volunteers generously donate their time to look in on nursing home residents and give them a voice when they often think they have none.