CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

PRESTONSBURG — Residents of long-term care facilities will share their stories at two public forums next week, part of a national campaign to raise awareness about dignity and rights in care settings.

The events will take place Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 5 p.m. at 110 Resource Court in Prestonsburg, and Thursday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. at the library at 126 Lee Avenue in Pikeville. Both are open to residents of nursing homes, assisted living centers and personal care homes, as well as staff, families and community members. Refreshments will be provided.

The forums are in recognition of Residents’ Rights Month, an annual observance designated by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. The initiative honors individuals living in long-term care facilities and those receiving services at home. It also highlights the importance of safeguarding their rights.

This year’s theme, “Stand With Me,” emphasizes solidarity with residents who speak up for themselves. It calls on the broader community to support them in that advocacy.

Organizers say the forums will give residents a platform to share personal accounts of life inside care facilities and offer insight into the challenges and needs they face.

Established as Residents’ Rights Week in 1981, the observance later expanded to a month to allow for a broader range of educational programs and public events. That growth reflects a sustained push to focus attention on dignity, autonomy and quality of life for those in long-term care.

Community participation, organizers say, is vital. “Too often, the voices of those most affected go unheard,” they noted. “These forums are an opportunity to change that.”

The Big Sandy Long-Term Care Ombudsman is hosting both events. For more information, call 606-886-2374, ext. 335.