Share Tweet Share Email Long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living centers, provide care and support to some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. These residents often include the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those recovering from serious illnesses or injuries. Advocating for residents in long-term care facilities is not just a moral imperative; it is an essential responsibility that protects residents’ quality of care and quality of life. Ensuring Quality Care for Residents Unfortunately, neglect and abuse can occur at any long-term care facili ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email The RI Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program invites you to our new monthly Zoom meetings for families and other care-partners of residents in long-term care facilities in RI. Meetings are free and open to anyone who has a family member or friend in a Rhode Island long-term care facility, but not to employees, administrators, and owners of facilities. We look forward to having you join us for our first meeting on October 10th at 7 p.m. These meetings provide: A chance to meet your LTCOP advocates and learn about the resources we offer Opportunities to connect with other c ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email As we age, the likelihood of experiencing a loss due to death increases with each passing year. For older adults (those who are 65 and older), and indeed for adults who are younger than this, the first major loss we are likely to encounter is the loss of a parent, aunt, uncle, or older friend. Once we reach older adulthood, loss is more likely to be a spouse or significant loved one. All of these life losses are profound and impact us in many ways, and sometimes the stages of grief as we transition through our emotions can take time for us to process until we reach inn ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email In advocating for older adults, let us acknowledge June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, during this time, we recognize and show support not only for those who have a diagnosis that impacts their cognitive abilities but also for the caregivers (formal and informal) who look after them. Worldwide, 50 million people live with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and every three seconds a person is diagnosed with it. In America, there are 500,000 cases of dementia and almost 10% of adults over the age of 65 have a dia ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email Engaging in new or rediscovered hobbies or interests, such as music, art, sewing, helping to design and plant a garden, or  baseline tasks such as folding, all help bring people together to create a cohesive community of like-minded souls who each bring their own unique twist to everyday living. Engaging in activities promotes cognitive stimulation and social integration for residents in long-term care settings. It is an important element of ensuring that the care provided is holistic, focusing on a mind & body connection. Based on the ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email It is important to understand the policy of involuntary discharges. An involuntary discharge is when a long-term care facility wants to evict or transfer a resident from their facility. The start of this process occurs when a 30-Day Discharge Notice is issued. What is the Process of a 30-Day Discharge Notice? Firstly, the resident, guardian, or responsible party must be notified. By law, The Rhode Island Long Term Care Ombudsman Office must be notified as well. The nursing home must provide a valid reason for issuing the 30-Day Notice. Valid Reasons for Issuing a 30 ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email The first name you should memorize when admitting a resident to a Long-Term Care Facility is your social worker’s name. This individual is required to be able to handle everything from the admission agreement to consoling a family member who has just lost a loved one. The importance of a social worker’s position makes them a vital member at a facility – they must be available to address and handle all challenging situations that arise in a day. As a Long Term Nurse, I can still hear the words, “let the social worker handle it.” While they juggle many responsibilities ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email Volunteer Ombudsman advocate for long-term care residents, acting on their behalf to discover and resolve problems related to abuse, neglect, or exploitation. It is a position that helps many residents in our state receive quality care, ensuring their rights are being respected. We have asked volunteers on our team to share a bit about their own personal experiences as Ombudsmen – while everyone’s journey is different, they are all fueled by a desire to help those in need get the quality care they deserve.   “I am an Ombudsman because of my mom. I do this in her m ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email When a loved one enters a long-term care facility, there can be quite a few concerns over how well their rights will be protected. While Ombudsman are always ready and willing to advocate for your loved one, it is also possible to actively take part in conversations to communicate concerns to facility members and work for resolutions and improvements at the facility yourself. This is possible by joining and supporting the family council at your loved one’s facility. Family councils play a vital role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family me ..read more

Share Tweet Share Email Many people believe that once their loved one enters a nursing home or assisted living facility, they lose their rights or those rights are altered in some manner – however, this is not true. Residents have rights and those rights deserve to be protected and respected. Communication is essential when it comes to maintaining your loved one’s rights. However, it can be difficult to protect their rights if you are unaware of what those rights are in the first place. Your first step toward protecting your loved one’s rights is educating yourself on the rights all residents ..read more