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What is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman? The Volunteer Ombudsman Program
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Who should Call? Anyone who has a concern about a long-term care resident may contact the Ombudsman. These people might be:
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What is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman? The Volunteer Ombudsman Program
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Contact an Ombudsman if |
Who should Call? Anyone who has a concern about a long-term care resident may contact the Ombudsman. These people might be:
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Copyright © 2000 AR Division of Aging and Adult Services |
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Paying for nursing home care
requires knowing all the options available.
The Ombudsman will gladly assist the resident or family member to
understand what choices exist and how to make application. If a resident believes
that someone is misusing his/her personal funds, the Ombudsman will help the
resident to resolve this issue. Often,
the Ombudsman, with the resident’s permission will forward these concerns on
to the correct investigative resource.
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In order to receive Medicaid
payment for a nursing home resident, the resident must apply at the county DHS
office where the facility is located for long term care Medicaid, even if the
resident is already Medicaid eligible. Some residents may make too
much money to be eligible for Medicaid initially, but a Miller’s Trust may be
a way to help qualify for long-term care Medicaid. The Ombudsman will be glad to talk with the resident and
family to discuss this option and explain the process to pursue this choice. |
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No restraint should be
utilized for the convenience of the staff, and each restraint must have an order
from the physician detailing its use. |
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Guardianship is often confused with power of attorney and
representative payee. Only a Judge
in a court of law has the authority to appoint a guardian, and by doing so
declares the individual in question incompetent.
The Judge makes this decision only after hearing evidence from the
individual’s doctor about the mental status of the individual.
If a resident needs legal assistance to set up a guardianship, the
Ombudsman may be contacted for referral to an appropriate agency. |
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Nothing is more important in
the life of a nursing home resident than the quality of the food being served.
Malnourishment and dehydration pose serious health risks and can often be
attributed to food quality and failure by staff to offer hydration.
Three meals and snacks are required by regulations, and the food should
be palatable, tasty and smell enticing. If
menus are not consistently followed, and the food quality is poor, the Ombudsman
will want to be informed so as to intervene with the Dietary Director or the
Administrator.
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The nursing home regulations
are very specific about what constitutes an appropriate reason for discharge.
Sometimes nursing homes will attempt to discharge a resident while not
following the regulations. This is
an illegal involuntary discharge. A
resident must receive a 30 day notice of discharge that states where the
resident is being discharged, the reason for discharge and the right to appeal
the discharge to the Office of Long Term Care and to the State Long-Term Care
Ombudsman. If you believe that you
have received an illegal notice of discharge, the Ombudsman will help you file
an appeal.
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Each resident has different
needs regarding the temperature in his/her room. Regulations state the range of temperature that is
acceptable. The Ombudsman will meet
with the Administrator if the temperature falls out of the acceptable range and
the resident request intervention.
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Each nursing home is
required to have a calendar that states the opportunities for social activities
each month. These activities range
from bingo to current events, birthday celebrations, to exercises.
Even bed bound residents are to be included in the activity roster.
If a resident states a concern about the quality or timeliness of
activities to the Ombudsman, an informal resolution process will begin with the
Activity Director.
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Every resident in a nursing
home has the same rights of citizens living in the community.
By law a list of those rights are spelled out in the federal regulations.
The Ombudsman is ever alert to identify a right that has been restricted
without the consent of the resident. The
Ombudsman will discuss these issues with the Nursing Home Administrator.
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The resident care plan is
developed with the resident, Nurse, Social Worker, Activity Director, guardians
or interested parties with the sole purpose of identifying issues of concern
regarding the care that the resident needs in a variety of identified areas, and
developing services for dealing with these issues.
The care plan will include who will be responsible and a timetable for
implementation of the services. A care plan is required to be completed within
seven days after the comprehensive assessment is completed.
Quarterly reviews of care plans are performed, and if a change in
condition occurs, a care plan can be held.
Residents or family members should feel free to request the presence of
the Ombudsman during a care plan meeting.
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