The KEDDO Area Agency on Aging provides ombudsman volunteer services for residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities in the KEDDO district. An ombudsman helps improve the quality of life and quality of care available to long-term care facility residents.
A long-term care ombudsman is a person who receives complaints from residents of long-term care facilities, their friends or relatives, and attempts to resolve those complaints within the facility. The ombudsman has the authority to explore problems and recommend corrective action.
Local volunteers committed to improving and enriching the lives of institutionalized older people support the ombudsman program. One goal of the program is to have volunteers at each facility in the state to work with the facility and the surrounding community. The Area Agency on Aging provides local supervision and support for the volunteers, and the state ombudsman program staff provides additional support. Training skills such as problem solving and communication are provided for volunteers by the ombudsman program. They also provide information about regulations, the process of aging, and long-term care facilities.
What Concerns Does an Ombudsman Address?
- Violation of residents rights or dignity
- Physical, verbal or mental abuse, deprivation of services necessary to maintain residents; physical and mental health; or unreasonable confinement.
- Poor quality of care, including inadequate personal hygiene and slow response for assistance.
- Improper transfer or discharge of resident.
- Inappropriate use of chemical or physical restraints.
- Any resident concern about quality of care or quality of life.
What are Residents Rights?
The right of citizenship. Nursing home residents do not lose any of their rights of citizenship, including the right to vote, to religious freedom and to associate with whom they choose.
The right to dignity. Residents of nursing homes are honored guests and have the right to be so treated.
The right to privacy. Nursing home residents have the right to privacy whenever possible, including the right to privacy with their spouse, the right to have their medical and personal records treated in confidence, and the right to private, uncensored communication.
The right to personal property. Nursing home residents have the right to possess and use personal property and to manage their financial affairs.
The right to information. Nursing home residents have the right to information, including the regulations of the home, and the costs for services rendered. They also have the right to participate in decisions about any treatment, including the right to
refuse treatment.
The right of freedom. Nursing home residents have the right to be free from mental or physical abuse, and from physical or chemical restraints.
The right to care. Residents have the right to equal care, treatment, and services provided by the facility without discrimination.
The right of residence. Nursing home residents have the right to live at the home unless they violate publicized regulations. They may not be discharged without timely and proper notification to both the resident and the family or guardian.
The right of expression. Nursing home residents have the right to exercise their rights, including the right to file complaints and grievances without fear or reprisal.
How Can I Get Involved?
Visit residents frequently. Sixty percent of all nursing home residents receive no visitors at all.
Report concerns about poor care or other problems to the Ombudsman Program.
VOLUNTEER to be an Ombudsman in your community.
For more information about the Ombudsman Program or becoming an Ombudsman Volunteer, please call;
Renee Johnson, Ombudsman Supervisor
Shawnna Nixon, Ombudsman Supervisor
KEDDO Area Agency on Aging
(800) 722-8180 or (918)465-2367