Check out what’s new in the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program!
June 2024
What’s New?
Staffing Standard for Nursing Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized their minimum staffing rules for the country’s nursing homes. The rule includes:
24 hour RN coverage
2 hours and 27 minutes of CNA coverage per resident, per day
33 minutes of RN coverage per resident, per day
The Kentucky Lantern interviewed NHOA’s Executive Director Denise Wells about the new rule. Wells reported being pleased about the 24 hour RN requirement because, “Medical emergencies don’t just happen for eight hours of the day; they can happen 24 hours a day.” Read the full article here.
NHOA’s Executive Director Denise Wells was also interviewed by KET regarding the new rule. Watch the full story here.
CMS’s Final Nursing Home Staffing Rule Will Take Steps to Ensure Residents Receive the High Quality of Care They Deserve
AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services final rule that requires America’s nursing homes to have enough staff to provide the high-quality care that residents expect and need.
“For years, AARP has fought to ensure the health and safety of every person living in a nursing home. CMS’s long overdue rule to require minimum staffing levels in America’s nursing homes will help protect the basic rights of residents to live in dignity. It is shameful that nursing homes receiving taxpayer dollars through Medicaid and Medicare haven’t been required to provide quality care through specific minimum staffing standards until now. Far too many residents and families have experienced tragic consequences because of poorly staffed facilities. AARP commends CMS for requiring nursing homes to meet important staffing standards, including having a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ultimately, ensuring nursing homes are adequately staffed will improve the quality-of-care residents receive and can give family caregivers peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are living with the quality of life they deserve.”
The Older Americans Act: The Local Impact of the Law and the Upcoming Reauthorization
The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging heard from Long-Term Care Ombudsman and other aging service professionals about the importance of the Older Americans Act and the need for increased funding to help serve our country’s seniors. Check out the hearing here.
Staff and Volunteer Spotlights
District Long-Term Care Ombudsmen attended in person training with the Kentucky State LTC Ombudsman Office.
Pictured above are staff and volunteers with the Big Sandy District LTC Ombudsman Program. Attendees received training and celebrated their work with residents. The Big Sandy program serves residents in Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike counties.
Ombudsmen advocate for residents of long-term care facilities at no charge to residents or families.
Long-Term Care Ombudsmen
Regularly make unannounced visits to long-term care facilities to visit residents.
Protect the special legal rights of residents.
Identify, investigate, and resolve residents’ problems and concerns.
Empower residents to make informed choices.
Work to monitor laws/policies to protect residents.
Long-term care ombudsmen serve residents in all counties in Kentucky. Visit our website!
Learning Opportunities
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
Each year, June 15th is designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness of elder abuse in our communities and to support systems, structures, and resources that work to prevent and end elder abuse. Here are some steps you can take to raise awareness and build supportive networks in your community to prevent and stop elder abuse.
1. Identify: Identify national resources to support your local work on elder abuse awareness and prevention. There are many resources available for people wanting to raise awareness about elder abuse and work to end it. Several national organizations provide research, education, and resources free of charge, including:
2. Learn: Learn how to talk about elder abuse in your community. The ways we talk about an issue can impact the responses we receive. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) and Frameworks Institute have education, tips, and resources on how to reframe the conversation about elder abuse. You can also sign up for a monthly e-mail with tips on reframing elder abuse.
Pictured above are Waynanne Caudill (Gateway District LTC Ombudsman), Amanda Grooms (Buffalo Trace District LTC Ombudsman), Sherry Culp (State LTC Ombudsman), Mark Burress (Regional LTC Ombudsman), Mandy Weston (Lake Cumberland District LTC Ombudsman, Denise Wells (NHOA Executive Director), Bethany Breckel (Northern KY District LTC Ombudsman, Angela Zeek (Ombudsman supervisor at Legal Aid of the Bluegrass), and Pam Pangburg (certified LTC Ombudsman volunteer) attended the World Elder Abuse Awareness event at the capital. Governor Beshear declared World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a proclamation read by CHFS Secretary Eric Friedlander.
Victoria Elridge, Commissioner for the Department of Aging and Independent Living presented the CHAMP award to individual Mary Crowley Schmidt and the organization award was given to the Buffalo Trace Area Development District for dedication to ending elder abuse by going above and beyond.
Pictured above are Rebekah Elkins, Outreach Coordinator for the Purchase Area Agency on Aging & Independent Living, and Justin Colley, Purchase District LTC Ombudsman. They held an elder abuse awareness event at McCracken County Senior Center for over 100 attendees.
Resource for Residents, Families, Ombudsmen and Facility Staff from The National Consumer Voice and the National Center on Elder Abuse
Loneliness and isolation are a public health crisis with profound consequences. Twenty-five percent of Americans over age 65 are considered socially isolated (the objective state of being alone). Additionally, 43% of Americans over age 65 report feeling lonely (the subjective state of feeling isolated). The problem is even worse in long term care settings. One study found that more than half of all residents in nursing homes suffer from loneliness. Scientists are emphasizing the need to prioritize social connections as a way to promote both individual health and community wellness outcomes. Check out this fact sheet on the value of being heard.
May Older Americans’ Month
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. OAM is a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities.
It’s not just about having someone to chat with. It’s about the transformative potential of community engagement in enhancing mental, physical, and emotional well-being. By recognizing and nurturing the role that connectedness plays, we can mitigate issues like loneliness, ultimately promoting healthy aging for more Americans.
How can organizations and groups help long-term care residents experience the power of being connected?
Spread the word about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection through professional and personal networks.
Promote opportunities to engage, like cultural activities, recreational programs, and interactive virtual events.
Connect older adults with local services, such as counseling, that can help them overcome obstacles to meaningful relationships and access to support systems.
Host connection-centric events or programs where older adults can serve as mentors to peers, younger adults, or youths.
What can individuals do to connect?
Invite more connection into your life by finding a new passion, joining a social club, taking a class, or trying new activities in your community.
Stay engaged in your community by giving back through volunteering, working, teaching, or mentoring. Let us know if you are interested in volunteering as a long-term care ombudsman by emailing [email protected]
Invest time with people to build new relationships and discover deeper connections with your family, friends, colleagues, or neighbors.
The Kentucky State LTC Ombudsman Program is housed within the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass.
The KLTCOP is funded in part by state and federal funding provided by the Department for Aging and Independent Living.
