Nursing Home Ombudsman Honored For Dedication To Seniors In Illinois
I think anyone who reads a recent article by Dean Olsen in The State Journal Register will likely be left with the feeling that the world is a better place due to people like Olga Perry. Hardly a household name, Ms. Perry is one the the thousands of mainly volunteer ombudsman across the country who provide a variety of assistance to people in nursing homes. After 10-years volunteering for the long-term care ombudsman program, Ms. Perry's dedication to the rights of the elderly was finally recognized when she was presented with the 2010 Outstanding Long Term Care Ombudsman Award by...
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City Of Chicago Recruits Ombudsmen To Improve Nursing Home Care For Patients
If you're looking for a great way to get involved in improving the quality of nursing home care, I suggest becoming part of the ombudsman program in your area. Ombudsman provide a vital link between nursing home patients and facility staff. Unlike complaints made to a state's department of health which tend to be serious in their nature, ombudsman are a conduit to resolving many commonly encountered problems that may be addressed relatively easily. In addition to resolving grievances and answering questions, ombudsman can also help improve patient safety when they notice abusive care or dangerous living conditions at...
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Steps To Take When Filing A Nursing Home Complaint With A State Agency
In cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect, filing a complaint with a state agency regarding the incident can be incredibly important with respect to getting answers about how an incident occurred and securing valuable information should the matter be litigated in the future. John Kormanik who produces an excellent Nursing Home Abuse Advocate Blog, recently made some extremely useful suggestions before initiating the complaint with your state agency. Here are John's suggestions: Provider / Facility Name and City Name of Patient/Resident Detailed Statement of Care Provided And Any Negative Outcomes Names of Witnesses Your Name and Contact Information; unless...
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How can nursing home ombudsmen help with problems encountered in a long-term care facility?
"How can nursing home ombudsmen help with problems encountered in a long-term care facility?" -Carol, Beachwood, Ohio Every state is required to have a long-term care ombudsmen program as set forth by the Federal Older Americans Act. In the long-term care setting, ombudsmen act as patient advocates to help families find facilities that meet resident needs, address problems encountered in long-term settings and inform patients of their legal rights. Most people utilizes ombudsmen services when they encounter a problem at a facility such as a resident injury resulting from abuse or neglect. In this context, an ombudsman can help in...
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Gimmie All Your Money. Now Get Out.
Mark this post. Look at this news story from New Jersey. A year from now this will be a common theme amongst nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout the country... we are seeing just the beginning of this trend to make nursing homes and long-term care facilities as profitable as possible in the face of slimming budgets and corporate ownership. Its no secret that Medicare and private-pay residents are far more lucrative for facilities that Medicaid recipients. As budgets for nursing homes and long-term care facilities begin to tighten and people live longer than ever, it only a matter...
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Get Out Of Here!
Evictions of nursing home residents are on the rise according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. As many nursing homes face budget cuts, they are seeking to reduce the number of Medicaid residents in favor of higher paying Medicare or self-pay residents that pay the facility a substantially higher daily rate. Under federal law, nursing homes can only involuntarily discharge patients for the following reasons: If the resident is well enough to go home. Discharge the resident for care only available elsewhere. Danger to the safety of other residents. Danger to the health of other residents. Failing...
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Ombudsmen In Nursing Homes
The other day I posted regarding the violations nursing home inspectors commonly miss. In defense of the likely overworked and underpaid inspectors- -their job its difficult. They are expected to uncover nursing home safety violations and neglect at many different facilities in a single visit. I received several messages from subscribers to our blog voicing concern over the inherent inadequacy in the inspection system. I came across this article which details a potential solution to this problem. I was mighty impressed with the simplicity of this idea. For states facing budget problems and in the midst of nursing home inspector...
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