Community Education and Engagement
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Kentucky LTC Residents’ Rights Forums
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To celebrate Residents’ Rights Month this October, fifteen District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs across the state hosted forums to highlight nursing home residents. The forums were an opportunity for residents to share their voice and experiences in nursing homes.
Forums included information about the long-term care ombudsman program, remarks by state leaders, a proclamation by the Governor for Residents’ Rights Month, and a question-and-answer discussion for residents to share their perspectives. If you weren’t able to attend a forum, some highlights are below:
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How is your day impacted when there aren’t enough staff working?
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“When there aren’t enough nurses, the CNAs pick up the slack and work their tails off.”
“I love my facility, but we have many problems and employment is one of them. The crew works very hard to pick up the slack.”
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How do you make your voice heard?
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“This place is set up like the military – there is a chain of command. Staff either solve the problem or take it up the chain. As the Resident Council President, I don’t know a problem that has come to me that hasn’t been addressed.”
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What did you think a nursing home would be like before you came?
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“I had relatives in nursing homes and it was a place where you went to die. Here, we have activities. We LIVE here.”
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What activities do you enjoy?
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“Bingo! We get little prizes; I won a little lamp light.”
“Going to Derby City Gaming.”
“Going to the movies – it’s like going out with the family.”
“Not every place has outings. We’re lucky.”
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When you were home, you had control over your environment. How do you have control at the nursing home?
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“I have the freedom to refuse. If I don’t want to get out of bed, I don’t have to.”
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How do you manage privacy while in the nursing home?
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“We have our own rooms here. If you want privacy, you can close the door. And we have security, so you can go to sleep without worrying about someone robbing you.”
“I was in a nursing home before with a roommate. I had no privacy. And no one checked on my roommate, and that gave me a lot of anxiety.”
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What kind of advice would you give someone entering the nursing home?
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“Stay humble. Today is it us. Tomorrow, it could be you.”
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Thank you to everyone who planned and coordinated Long-Term Care Forums for residents across the state. District LTC Ombudsmen and local ombudsman program staff and volunteers worked hard to plan the forums and support residents in sharing their thoughts and experiences.
We appreciate each resident who attended and shared their voice. Residents are always at the center of the ombudsman universe. Thank you to our brave residents who allow us to serve them and teach us something new every day.
Many residents shared their appreciation for nursing facility staff and nurse aides. Residents shared that staff often treat them like family and that is important to residents. Residents commented on how hard staff work and acknowledged the difficulty of being a caregiver when the facility is short staffed. Residents often praised the activities department of their facilities for having many engaging activities. Thank you to the staff who care for residents. We appreciate your dedication.
It was a pleasure to celebrate residents along with community partners and policy makers. 60% of residents don’t have family and friends who regularly visit so it was wonderful to see many people attend the forums. The LTC ombudsman may be the only visitor of some residents. It was motivating to advocates and policy makers to witness residents sharing their thoughts and experiences in Long-Term Care.
In closing, thank you most of all to our brave residents who allow us to serve them and teach us something new every day. We appreciate each resident who attended the forums and shared their voices. We are forever grateful to residents for building our communities, protecting our freedoms, and sharing their unique experiences and contributions. We look forward to sharing a full report with you about the forums and for residents to continue to speak up and amplifying their voice.
Sincerely,
Sherry Culp
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
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The Lake Cumberland District LTC Ombudsman video of residents
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Residents’ Rights Month
Residents have the right to self-determination and to use their voice to make their own choices. This year’s Residents’ Rights Month theme, The Power of My Voice, emphasizes self-empowerment and recognizes the power of residents being vocal about their interests, personal growth, and right to live full, enriching lives.
To check out our guide on Residents’ Rights, click here and visit our webpage!
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Voting Rights
Election season is an exciting time that offers a renewed opportunity to shape public policy. If you live in a nursing home, federal nursing home regulations emphasize that you have the same rights as any other citizen of the United States – this includes your right to vote!
Long-term care facilities should have a plan to ensure residents can exercise their right to
vote. This could include providing direct support to residents and/or coordinating with
state programs that provide assistance to those living in residential facilities. However, you should have a plan for voting too. Check out Golden votes by Tyler O’Neil of Spectrum News to learn more about how some Kentucky residents of long-term care are encouraged and supported in casting their ballots.
How will you be informed about issues and candidates in the election?
There are different ways to learn about the issues and candidates that will be on the ballot this election cycle.
- Encourage your facility or resident council to invite candidates to visit
and have discussions with residents about the issues.
- Work with your activities director to share information on the upcoming election, including participating in or watching town hall assemblies or debates. Share online forums that residents can join or websites that provide information about the candidates.
- Check local news sources, such as newspapers for candidate overviews and information.
- Work with your resident council and activities director to discuss these issues in meetings or plan events and activities to inform people about the issues on the ballot.
- Remember residents may have different views so make sure, when information is being shared in your facility, there is access to information on all candidates and issues.
- For more information on what candidates and issues are on the ballot where
you live visit: Vote411
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In honor of Residents’ Rights Month in October, The National Consumer Voice highlighted resident voices from across the country. See more entries to the Resident’s Voice Challenge on the Consumer Voice website.
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How Nursing Homes Hide Profits While Residents Suffer
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Ernie Tosh, attorney and frequent lecturer on forensic accounting in nursing homes, and NHOA Executive Director Denise Wells discuss advocating for better staffing at the National Consumer Voice Conference.
Learn more about the work of Ernie and others in the Vice video featured below.
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Lawsuit Filed by Twenty States to Block Critical Staffing Protections for Nursing Home Residents
On October 9, 2024, twenty state attorneys general including Kentucky filed suit in federal court to block the implementation of the most significant increase in protections for nursing home residents in decades, the minimum staffing rule. Finalized in May this year, the rule will require all nursing homes to meet minimum daily staffing requirements. One analysis estimated that this new rule would save at least 13,000 lives annually.
The nursing home industry receives over $90 billion dollars a year to provide nursing home care. Yet, the quality of care they provide is too often substandard. Frequently, this fact is driven by corporate greed. Recently, members of Congress wrote to three of the largest nursing home chains in the country, noting that these companies, over four years, were paid $650 million in dividends, buyback, and executive compensation.
These attorneys general have taken up the cause of large corporations that put profit over patient outcomes. Have no doubt, failing to implement this rule will cause incalculable harm to residents, including death. Instead of rolling back protections for nursing home residents, these attorneys general should be asking where our taxpayer dollars are going and standing with our most vulnerable citizens, working to protect them, and ensuring they receive the proper care in our nation’s nursing homes.
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Care issued a statement. Read Consumer Voice’s full statement.
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Free COVID-19 tests
On Sept. 26th, the U.S. government began offering another round of free COVID tests. “U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services. “The COVID- 19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.” More than 900 million such tests have already been distributed to help folks get tested and treated earlier, and to perhaps keep them from spreading COVID to others.
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Staff and Volunteer Spotlights
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In Kentucky’s LTCOP, our staff and volunteers make a real difference in the lives of those we serve. Check out some awesome advocates below!
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Welcome Michael Callan, Esq.
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As General Counsel for the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Michael will provide legal advice and guidance to the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations and the mission of the LTC Ombudsman Program.
Michael Callan is an accomplished attorney with a dynamic skill set. Michael has nearly a decade of legal experience and has practiced law in numerous subject matters, including distinction as a legislative bill drafter for the Kentucky General Assembly, Director of Policy Research, corporate lobbyist, courtroom litigator, and government relations attorney in several states. Michael’s passion to practice law is derived from his ability to help those who are less fortunate and in need of quality legal services.
Outside of being an attorney, Michael enjoys spending his time outdoors, whether it be work or play, and in the company of his good friends and family.
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Welcome Shannon Wynn, Certified LTC Ombudsman
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The Pennyrile District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program announced a new Certified LTC Ombudsman. Pennyrile AAAIL staff member Shannon Wynn completed 36 hours of certification training in September.
Shannon will be assisting Cindy Tabor, the Pennyrile District LTC Ombudsman, by advocating for residents.
Congratulations Shannon!
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Thank you to our staff and volunteers. You make a difference!
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Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: A KET Forum
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On “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: A KET Forum,” host Wayne Tuckson, MD, and panel of medical experts examine the topic of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, discussing the latest science on treatments, screenings and resources.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia on KET aired on KET in September. This forum is part of a larger KET initiative called The Next Chapter, which focuses on aging issues and offers a curated collection of programs and resources related to the challenges and rewards of navigating one’s golden years. For more information, visit KET.org/NextChapter.
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What’s an Ombudsman?
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!
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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.
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