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The Ombudsman provides a voice for consumers of long-term care. These
consumers include residents of nursing homes, residential care facilities,
and adult care homes as well as recipients of “in-home” services
Who
coordinates and administers the program?
The
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is mandated by the Older Americans Act and
is coordinated by the Ohio Department of Aging. There presently are twelve
Regional Ombudsman Programs in Ohio. Each Regional Program is responsible
for the counties located within its specific Planning and Service Area (PSA).
The Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. (PSA7), located at Rio Grande,
Ohio, administers the Ombudsman Program for the following counties: ADAMS,
BROWN, GALLIA, HIGHLAND, JACKSON, LAWRENCE, PIKE, ROSS, SCIOTO, AND VINTON.
Complaint
Investigation
The
Ombudsman Program’s primary role is to investigate and resolve complaints
concerning long-term care facilities and service providers in an effort to
improve the quality of life for long-term care consumers. Complaints may
encompass concerns about nursing care, client rights, food, financial and
environmental issues, etc. All communications with the Ombudsman are
confidential and there is no charge for the services rendered.
Information
and Referral
The
Ombudsman Program also answers requests for information in an effort to
make consumers aware of their rights and choices in long-term care
matters. The Ombudsman can answer questions about: the availability of
local “in-home” and “community-based” services; nursing home
selection and placement; eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid; available
alternatives to institutionalization; and address many other questions for
users or potential users of long-term care services.
Advocacy
The
Ombudsman Program conducts routine advocacy visits to long-term care
facilities to educate residents and staff about Ombudsman Services and
Resident Rights. In
addition, the Ombudsman Program works to change the long-term care system
by advocating for improvements in long-term care legislation and practice.
Education
The
Ombudsman Program conducts educational programs for interested parties
Volunteer
Program
The
Ombudsman Program recruits and trains volunteers who visit assigned
nursing homes on a weekly basis. Volunteers provide a voice for nursing
home residents and serve to lessen the isolation and loneliness
experienced by many residents who have no one to speak on their behalf.
Volunteers also help to educate residents about their rights, thus
empowering them to become more vocal in resolving their own complaints and
concerns.
Access the Volunteer Form
here.
Currently
there are 24 trained and state tested Ombudsmen Volunteers with the Area
Agency on Aging District 7.
Nursing
Home Resident's Bill of
Rights
Residents’
rights include:
-
Right
to safe and clean living environment
-
Right
to privacy
-
Right
to information
-
Civil
rights
-
Right
to participate in treatment
-
Right
to voice grievances
-
Right
to manage personal finances
-
Right
to adequate and appropriate medical and nursing care
-
Right
to be free of Physical and Chemical Restraints
-
Right
to take part in Community Activities
-
Right
to be treated with courtesy and respect
-
Right
to private visits and unrestricted communications
-
Right
not to be transferred or discharged from the home
-
Right
to be free from physical, verbal, mental, and emotional abuse.
In 2004, the Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program provided a voice
for over ten thousand long-term care consumers including residents of
nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult care homes as well
as recipients of in-home and/or community based services. The paid staff
handled 338 complicated complaints and numerous other concerns on behalf
of these long-term care consumers. In 2004, the top five statewide
complaints were: Discharge and Eviction, Dignity/Respect/Staff
Attitudes, Medication Administration, Accidents/Improper Handling, and
Call Lights/Requests for Assistance.
According to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the
Region-7 Ombudsman Program averages 1.16 days initiating an investigation
after intake. This is under the state’s average of 2.49 days.
In 2004, paid staff and volunteer ombudsmen spent 2,614 hours visiting
long-term care facilities educating residents, families, and facility staff
about the Ombudsman Program, Residents’ Rights, and Elder Abuse. Ombudsmen
made a total of 874 Visits to the long-term care facilities in our
ten-county region.
On December 3, 2004, the Regional Ombudsman Program realized one of its
program goals by developing and holding the AAA7’s Annual Elder Abuse
Conference, “Financial and Sexual Abuse of the Elderly.” It was held on Ohio
University’s Southern Campus in Ironton, Ohio. The event was well attended
with over one hundred and fifty participants including the law enforcement
community. Ohio University students videotaped the conference and training
DVDs were made to distribute to our region’s law enforcement agencies.
In 2004, the Ombudsman Program Director was a part of the State Elder Abuse
Task Force convened by the Attorney General’s Office. The task force met for
almost a year to devise a plan to address elder abuse issues in the state of
Ohio. The Director was a member of the Collaboration Committee that
recommended amending the Adult Protective Services (APS) Statute to mandate
the creation of Interdisciplinary Teams (IDTs) in each county to provide
consultation on specific cases of elder abuse. This recommendation was one
of the group’s final recommendations to the Governor, and the Department of
Aging is working to find a sponsor to introduce legislation regarding the
development of county IDTs.
In 2004, the Ombudsman Program recruited, trained, certified, and placed
fifteen Volunteer Ombudsmen including student interns from Shawnee State
University. The Internship Program created with SSU has been a tremendous
asset to the Ombudsman Program. The interns not only bring a refreshing
enthusiasm to our advocacy efforts, but they also acquire valuable
experience to assist them in their future careers as Nursing Home
Administrators (NHAs). The Ombudsman Program has recently begun to see the
fruits of their labor as the program’s first students are being hired as
NHAs in our area nursing homes. These new NHAs have a better understanding
of Residents’ Rights and the role of the Ombudsman Program, thus, making the
Ombudsman’s job easier in terms of being able to successfully advocate for
our clients.
The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman within the Ohio Department
of Aging recently conducted the Program’s annual Designation and Service
Review (DSR) for the 2004 DSR cycle. According to the report summary, “RP 7
is an exemplary Ombudsman Program. High standards of practice were evident
throughout all phases of the DSR process. The quality of the program is
demonstrated in its management style, staff performance, support and respect
of the AAA, community recognition and collaboration, and creative
fundraising. The quality of this program indicated a dedication to and value
for the frail elderly in this region.”
If
you would like to ask a specific question or schedule an appointment about
this program, you can reach us at 1-888-841-2227.
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