What is a Long-Term Care or Nursing Home Care Resident Ombudsman?

Who do they serve? 

How can they help you, if your mom or dad reside in a facility where they’re NOT getting the proper care needed? 

Knowing how to get help from an independent outside authority can give you the support you may need or help with deciding what to do if you’re concerned about their safety.

With over 15,000 nursing homes in the US and nearly 66,000 long-term care facilities, the demand for care workers in these places is huge. However, at times, many lack the support they need to care for your patients properly and safely. 

Each state has an ombudsman program that works to help those of us who have aging parents residing in some type of care or nursing home.  Why we try our best to help our parents, sometimes an Ombudsman can be the key to making the necessary changes so that your parents, and others, stay safe and keep their care assured.   

Why?  Because Ombudsmen:

• Often know the facilities and management better than you
• Have a higher level of clout with state and local legislators
• Know the state licensing guidelines for nursing homes
• Can help you know who to contact and what to say to get your voice heard at a higher level

Information about The National Ombudsman Resource Center: Here you can also learn how to become a volunteer ombudsman in your state through the organization. 

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is the overseeing body for the National Ombudsman Resource Center.  Your parents, as residents of a care facility, can join The National Consumer Voice membership for free. You as a family member are also encouraged to join. 

The National Consumer Voice’s primary role is recommending policy and procedures for care facilities through government legislation and leading organizations like the Center for Medicare and Medicaid, among others. 

Every family should know about this organization. An Ombudsman can be a powerful tool to help you make sure your parents are well cared for, happy, healthy, and remain safe. 

Guest: Carol Scott, Manager, LTC Ombudsman Program & Policy for the National Ombudsman Resource Center. Carol is a healthcare leader with more than 32 years of advocacy experience at both the national and state levels. She provides technical assistance to state and local ombudsmen across the country; analyzes Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) program and policy information; conducts training for new State Ombudsmen; hosts webinars for local representatives; shares information/resources related to volunteer management; and works on special projects related to NORC program and operations.

In her previous position, she served as the Field Operations Manager for the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign, where she was responsible for guiding and supporting stakeholder coalitions in all 50 states for the purpose of making nursing homes better places to live, work and visit.

For 23 years, Carol was the Ombudsman for the state of Missouri and was responsible for protecting vulnerable elders in nursing homes and assisted living. In addition, she has served as the legislative liaison for the Division of Aging and a budget analyst for the Medicaid Program for the state of Missouri.

Host:  Nancy May, Author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be considered or used as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

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