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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?
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Violation of
residents’ rights or dignity
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Physical, verbal or
mental abuse, deprivation of services necessary to maintain residents’
physical and mental health; or unreasonable confinement.
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Poor quality of care,
including inadequate personal hygiene and slow response for assistance.
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Improper transfer or
discharge of resident.
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Inappropriate use of
chemical or physical restraints.
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Any resident concern
about quality of care or quality of life.
What
are Residents Rights?
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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.
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The
right to dignity. Residents of nursing homes are honored guests and have the
right to be so treated.
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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.
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The
right to personal property. Nursing home residents have the right to possess
and use personal property and to manage their financial affairs.
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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.
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The
right of freedom. Nursing home residents have the right to be free from
mental or physical abuse, and from physical or chemical restraints.
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The
right to care. Residents have the right to equal care, treatment, and
services provided by the facility without discrimination.
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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.
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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?
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Visit residents frequently. Sixty percent of all nursing home residents
receive no visitors at all.
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Report concerns about poor care or other problems to the Ombudsman Program.
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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
Pat Braund, Ombudsman Supervisor
KEDDO Area Agency on Aging
1-800-722-8180 or (918)465-2367
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