Volunteer ombudsmen looking out for seniors
It was unclear in Shirley Martin Bush’s letter (July 1, Daily Bee) on what kind of facility for the aged she was referring to. The events described were obviously upsetting to her. As ombudsmen, we advocate for residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Her concerns are of interest to us. Ombudsmen observe the environment, visit residents and problem solve for them. Our main concerns are resident rights, quality of care and quality of life.
We know of no facilities with a board of directors or uniformed officers on site. In regard to the resident Ms. Bush says was evicted because she complained to the facility, a discharge notice from an assisted living or skilled nursing facility must be given 30 days in advance and the resident has the right of repeal. The ombudsman is often involved if the discharge is questionable. If the facility has good reason for discharge, the resident has the right to stay until a suitable alternative is found.
It is important that facility residents, their families, and anyone contemplating long term care, know about the Ombudsman Program. In 1971, President Richard Nixon’s Eight Point Directive addressed abuses in nursing homes. In 1978, the ombudsman program became federal law through the Older Americans Act. In 1981, assisted living and other board and care homes were added to the program. The name was changed to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, as it remains today.
The regional program, which serves all five northern Idaho counties, is operated out of the Area Agency on Aging in Coeur d’Alene. The program has a regional ombudsman, two part-time ombudsmen, and a cadre of volunteer ombudsmen. All visit facilities and advocate for the residents.
Ms. Bush’s letter expressed concern over the unannounced leaving of staff. When a facility changes ownership, a staff change is not unusual. This can be upsetting to the residents because close and trusting relationships have been built over time. Ombudsmen have no jurisdiction over business decisions unless they threaten the well-being of residents or trample on resident rights.
Most facilities have changed for the better, but others still have problems. That’s where ombudsmen come in. If Ms. Bush is a resident of a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, we invite her and other residents to call an ombudsman with their concerns at (208) 667-3179.
The facilities in all the counties are visited by ombudsmen, but It would be beneficial to the residents of facilities in Bonner and Boundary counties to have volunteer ombudsman in their area. Our efforts to recruit volunteers there have been difficult, perhaps because the training is once a week for seven weeks in Coeur d’Alene. However, once trained, the volunteers visit only in Bonner or Boundary counties . If there is a group of volunteers from Bonner and Boundary counties, a training will be scheduled there. It’s a great way to monitor the care of our vulnerable seniors. Interested? Please contact Jan Noyes at (208) 667-3179 ext. 243 or jnoyes@aaani.org .
• Jan Noyes is volunteer ombudsman coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho.