The Kentucky LTC Ombudsman Program held 20 LTC Forums organized by District LTC Ombudsmen and featuring 145 nursing home residents from 83 facilities across the Commonwealth during October Residents’ Rights Month 2024.
The primary objectives of the forums were to: promote the voice of Kentucky’s nursing home residents; strengthen their presence within their communities; and promote the Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
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The forums proved to be a great opportunity for residents to gather and share their experiences. Members of the community were invited to witness nursing home residents answering a variety of questions, spurring an engaging and valuable conversation. The audience was comprised primarily of ombudsman program staff and volunteers, facility staff, aging services professionals, policymakers, and resident families. Trends were identified, and the LTCO program has issued recommendations.
To read the full report, click here.
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Nursing Home Staffing Standard
On April 7, 2025, a federal district judge in Texas vacated much of the recently finalized staffing rule, holding that CMS exceeded its authority when requiring that nursing homes have a registered nurse (RN) present twenty-four hour per day, seven days per week, and that nursing homes must provide at least a minimum amount of hours of care per day per resident. Consumer Voice has strongly supported the rule, estimated to save 13,000 resident lives each year, and is disappointed with the court’s holdings. The case was brought by the major lobbying organizations for the nursing home industry, including the American Healthcare Association and Leading Age. Other portions of the rule, including facility assessment requirements and a requirement that states publicly report on nursing home Medicaid spending on direct care staff and support staff, were left in place by the court.
It is unclear whether the Trump Administration will appeal this decision. Recently, it filed a brief in a similar case in federal court in Iowa, strongly defending the rule. Despite this ruling, nursing homes are still required to have sufficient staff to meet all nursing home residents’ needs.
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
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CMS Delays Implementation of Guidance to Nursing Home Surveyors
On November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised guidance for nursing home surveyors. The updates appear in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, which state survey agencies are required to follow when surveying and assessing facility compliance with federal regulations. On January 15, 2025, CMS updated the guidance again and revised the effective implementation date. On March 10, CMS revised its memo once more delaying the implementation of the guidance to April 28, 2025. For more information, read Consumer Voice’s summary of the guidance and watch their recent webinar.
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Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025!
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One Kentucky LTC resident expressed her gratitude for her local ombudsman during a Resident Forum that highlighted nursing home residents’ experiences living in LTC.
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April 20th – April 26th is National Volunteer Week and a perfect opportunity for Kentucky’s LTCOP to celebrate and highlight all the meaningful and critical work our volunteers do. Last year Kentucky had approximately 170 volunteers across the state who dedicate over 5,300 hours of their time visiting LTC facilities, working complaints, and advocating for individuals living in LTC facilities across the Commonwealth.
Our long-term care ombudsmen volunteers are a lifeline for LTC residents in Kentucky. They are the voice that ensures residents’ concerns are heard and they are treated with dignity and respect. The impact our volunteers have in the LTCOP is profound. They advocate for better quality care in LTC facilities, safeguard residents’ rights, and help shape better standards of care across facilities.
A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers who serve in Kentucky’s LTCOP.
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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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Pictured above from left to right are Faye Pharis, Susan Striegel, Mandy Weston, Brandon Wood, and Janis Abbott following their March Lake Cumberland advisory council meeting Russell Springs. The Lake Cumberland LTC Ombudsman Program serves Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne counties. To report concerns or make inquiries about long-term care or volunteer opportunities contact Lake Cumberland District LTC Ombudsman Mandy Weston by email or call 1-800-264-7093 Toll Free.
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Pictured above from left to right are Jennifer Beckham, Rebekah Elkins, Judy Yetter, Angela Farthing, Katie Thompson, Justin Colley, Brandon Wood, Sarah Walker, Rhoni Lowery, Brenda Whitford, and John Peebles following a meeting of the Purchase advisory council in Mayfield. The Purchase LTC Ombudsman Program serves Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, and McCracken counties. To report concerns or make inquiries about long-term care or volunteer opportunities contact Purchase District LTC Ombudsman Justin Colley by email or call 1-877-352-5183 Toll Free.
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On April 16, Pennyrile District Ombudsman Cindy Tabor joined residents at Tradewater Health & Rehabilitation for their Resident Council meeting. Resident Councils are a valuable platform for residents to share their voices, raise concerns, and stay actively involved in shaping their care experience. We’re proud to support resident advocacy and open dialogue in long-term care communities.
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Gateway District LTC Ombudsman Position
Check out the job posting for the Gateway District LTC Ombudsman. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass seeks a Long-Term Care Ombudsman for its Morehead, KY based office.
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Thank you to the Alzheimer’s Association for providing training to staff and volunteers in the LTCO Program. 42 LTC Ombudsman staff and volunteers attended the training.
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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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