You made a difference in your community!
|
|
|
April is volunteer appreciation month, and we value all our volunteers in Kentucky’s LTC Ombudsman Program. During this time, District Ombudsmen programs across the state celebrate their volunteers who make the work we do possible.
We love and appreciate our program volunteers across the state! Below are a few words from volunteer representatives in the Barren River LTCO program about why they’ve “stuck with it” for so long. If you are interested in volunteering in the Barren River contact Lynda Love, District LTC Ombudsman.
“I had a lot of love to give, and so I did. I gave.” -Gloria Peach, 22 years of certified ombudsman service
“Residents say I’m a blessing, no, THEY are the blessing, they bless me.” -Lynn Browne, 10 years of certified ombudsman service
“They [residents] are family to me.” -Brenda Gentile, 17 years of certified ombudsman service
Pictured above are volunteers of the Barren River LTCO Program.
|
Pictured above is Barren River’s certified volunteer ombudsman, Tina Higdon. Tina became a certified ombudsmen in 2018 and currently visits and provides services to residents living in LTC facilities. When asked what she would like to see improve the most in long-term care facilities, Tina responded, “I’d like to see residents in Personal Care Homes get better quality care and more attention from staff.” Thank you, Tina for all the work you continue to do to support residents!
|
|
Purchase District LTC Ombudsman Stephanie Anderson held an ombudsman volunteer appreciation training and luncheon on April 13. A local food truck provided tasty treats for volunteers to enjoy and Leanne Johnson, Director of Heal Thy Self and a death doula provided training on stress awareness and burnout and the connections to abuse.
Pictured above from left to right is Ashlynn Clay and Katie Thompson who are both Certified Ombudsman and Advisory Council Members, District Ombudsman Stephanie Anderson, Alexis Daniel Friendly Visitor in training, and Nancy Hogancamp Friendly Visitor.
We appreciate all of our volunteers. Thank you!
|
Stehanie continues to recruit and train new volunteers. There are a variety of opportunities from certified volunteer long-term care ombudsman to friendly visitors and advisors for the ombudsman advisory council. See flyer below and contact Stephanie if you are interested.
|
|
FIVCO District LTC Ombudsman Amanda Hamilton presented during a webinar sponsored by the Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) on the Role of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in Facility Closures on Tuesday, April 25.
Amanda shared her experience as an ombudsman advocating for Personal Care Home residents who were displaced during a Personal Care Home closure in 2022 in hopes of helping other ombudsmen across the country who are dealing with challenging closures and make improvements in the process.
|
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Lillian Weston, a beloved Lake Cumberland Advisory Council volunteer. Mrs. Weston served in the Lake Cumberland LTCO program for almost 16 years & her service, dedication, and passion for people will be greatly missed.
To read Lillian’s obituary, click here.
|
|
|
The Consumer Voice: Pursuing Quality LTC Podcasts
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term care is or will be a fact of life for many of us and our loved ones as we age. We all deserve care – whether in the home or in a long-term care facility – that meets the highest of standards, enhancing quality of life and ensuring the protection of rights.
Tune in to Consumer Voice’s podcasts as they talk with residents, national experts and advocates about strategies you can use in the pursuit of quality long-term care.
Three new episodes were posted in April including: Increase Scrutiny of Nursing Home Finances; Resident Voices on How Staffing Impacts Their Lives; and Quality Jobs, Quality Care.
Click here to listen to the podcast live on Facebook, Apple Podcasts, or SoundCloud.
|
|
|
We are looking for volunteers! Contact us for more information
Email or call 859-277-9215.
|
|
|
|
President Biden Issues Executive Order
|
On April 18, 2023, President Biden issued a wide-ranging executive order designed to increase access to high quality long-term care services and child care services, to support family caregivers, and to create better jobs for long-term care workers. Importantly, the executive order acknowledged that the country must do more to support workers who provide long-term care services by increasing pay and benefits, providing additional training and educational opportunities, and offering other supports to workers. The order also called for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to explore innovative ways to support family members providing care to loved ones with dementia. Consumer Voice strongly supports the actions announced in the executive order, and thanks President Biden for taking decisive action to support long-term care workers and family caregivers.
Read More at the National Consumer Voice website.
|
|
Older Americans Month 2023
The 2023 theme is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. The theme emphasizes flexible thinking about aging – and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included. Visit the OAM 2023 website for promotional materials and activity ideas.
|
“The need for long-term care is likely to become more acute as our Nation’s population ages. By 2060, there will be approximately twice as many adults over the age of 65 than in 2016, and projections indicate that there will be around 8 million long-term care job openings over the next decade.”
4/18/23 Presidential Executive Order
|
|
New Mission Possible Podcast Episode on What Residents Want from Nursing Home Reform
Listen to the most recent episode of the Mission Possible podcast, “What Residents Want from Nursing Home Reform.” Mission Possible is a joint production of The Center for Innovation (The Green House Project/Pioneer Network), Consumer Voice, and AMDA. In this episode, Maurice Miller, a nursing home resident in the Washington, DC area, discusses what he really wants to see from providers, lawmakers, and caregivers as we work to improve the system. Maurice brings a unique perspective to the Mission Possible conversation, and not just because he’s a resident in a dialogue that consists primarily of operators, regulators, politicians, and lawyers – but also because as someone who’s lived in a nursing home since suffering a stroke in his late 40s, he’s still the self-described baby of his community more than a decade later.
|
|
|
|
|
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th.
Let us know what events are in your local area and stay tuned for more information about WEAAD soon!
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
