April 2026

Thank you so much to everyone who contacted me and wished me well in retirement. It has been a joy to reminisce with those I worked with and served over the years. Each and every one of you has made my life better and I am extremely grateful for our time together.

It has been a pleasure to get to know residents from so many walks of life. While many of the problems were heart breaking, it has been an honor to help folks. Building relationships with residents so that we could work together on problems was one of my favorite aspects of LTC Ombudsman work. I loved celebrating with residents when they “won” and a problem was resolved. The majority of problems residents experience while living in long-term care are related to short-staffing. When there are not enough well-trained caregivers in facilities residents suffer. Residents need quality care, but they also want those who are providing their care to have a dignified work environment that supports quality caregiving relationships. There are kind and dedicated long-term care workers out there who deserve a supportive work environment. Staffing standards are essential and need to be passed into law at state and federal levels.

The LTC Ombudsman Program staff and volunteers are an amazing group of people. Many people who work and volunteer in the Program are drawn to the work through a deep desire to treat others as one would want to be treated. These individuals are dedicated to improving the care and quality of life for the sickest among us and hold the belief that our world can improve so that everyone experiences dignified and quality care. The staff and volunteers in the Program are the most passionate, fact-seeking, diligent people I have ever met. And they are fun, generous and loving! LTC Ombudsmen plucked me up as a baby ombud and taught me everything. I am forever grateful to the program staff and volunteers.

Bedside advocacy is needed, but most people will never know how much until they are lying in the bed dependent upon others. It is important to support advocates who are out there doing the work. Here is my last plea to those who hold the purse strings- Invest in the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, it’s totally worth it.

With sincerest gratitude,

Sherry Culp

“People who have committed to a service/advocacy role will tell you that some of the sublimest pleasures they have ever experienced comes in the context of that work. You get way more than you give.” Charles Garfield, author of Peak Performers

What’s New?

The Kentucky General Assembly Legislative Update

The last day of the Kentucky legislative session was April 15. For the session, there were 939 bills filed in the House and 358 bills filed in the Senate – a record amount.

Although the KSLTCOP’s funding request was sponsored in both chambers, the final version of the budget bill does not include additional funds. The final budget also removed language restricting the 2024 General Assembly’s allocations to the Program. This, coupled with the decrease in funding for the Department of Aging and Independent Living, has the Program concerned about funding in Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028.

The Ombudsman Program is grateful to receive additional legislative recognition. Senate Resolution 170 was sponsored by Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe to honor and recognize the Program. The resolution was adopted on April 15, and was co-sponsored by Senator Deneen.

Now that the legislative session is over, the Program is eager to head into the legislative interim period, which begins June 1, 2026. Our interim advocacy will focus on advancing Esther’s law, which will allow residents to use electronic monitoring devices – such as video cameras with audio – in their resident rooms to deter abuse and neglect, to increase transparency and accountability, and to stay connected with friends and family. In addition, the Program will continue to advocate for a quality staffing standard in long-term care facilities.

Your support and legislative outreach are extremely valuable. You can support the Ombudsman Program and these policies by contacting your legislator (find your legislator here). You may also wish to contact Representative Johnson directly to express appreciation and support for HB 491 (Esther’s Law), in addition to thanking Representative Neighbors and Senator Mays Bledsoe for their legislative recognition of our Program.

Pictured above are Michael Callan, Jodi Holsclaw, Representative Amy Neighbors, Sherry Culp, Mandy Weston and Alice Rearick. Thank you Rep Neighbors!

Legislation Introduced to Set Minimum Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes

On March 26, Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act, legislation aimed at establishing mandatory minimum nurse staffing standards in nursing homes to improve care quality and resident safety. The bill would require at least 4.1 hours of direct care per resident daily and 24/7 registered nurse coverage, backed by enforceable penalties.

Chronic understaffing has long contributed to poor health outcomes and diminished quality of life for residents, despite substantial public funding. The legislation responds to concerns over weakened regulations, workforce challenges, and profit-driven practices in the industry, and seeks to ensure accountability, protect workers, and guarantee dignified, high-quality care for nursing home residents. Read the Bill Summary and visit the National Consumer Voice for more information about federal policy initiatives focused on residents.

Reauthorize the Older Americans Act!

Send a message to your representatives to call for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and remind them of the importance of protecting older adults and people with disabilities across the United States. After recently passing in the Senate, the bill now awaits consideration in the House, where timely approval is critical to avoid restarting the legislative process. The Act provides essential support for programs such as Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and other elder abuse prevention initiatives, while also introducing updates like expanded elder abuse training within the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Reauthorizing this legislation that turned 60 in 2025 ensures continued efforts to combat abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Act presents a key opportunity to both preserve and modernize these vital protections for the future. Thanks to the Elder Justice Coalition for making their link available. Send a message to your representatives.

Access the pdf pictured above here. To access Kentucky-specific voting information revisit our February newletter.

Justice In Aging’s New Fact Sheet

Check out Justice in Aging’s new fact sheet H.R. 1 Reduces Medicaid Retroactive Eligibility Starting in 2027. The Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025 makes numerous changes to Medicaid eligibility. One of these changes is shortening the period of retroactive eligibility for Medicaid applicants.

Beginning in January 2027, Medicaid retroactive eligibility will be limited to two months prior to the application month for most applicants, including people aged 65 and older and people with disabilities.

May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the contributions of all older adults and reaffirm our commitment to supporting their health and independence. The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, underscores prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging.

If you are looking for ways to celebrate Older Americans Month check out the U.S. Administration on Community Living’s (ACL) materials and activity ideas available now. ACL says stay tuned for this year’s poster, social media graphics, and more. Use the hashtag #OlderAmericansMonth on social media to share your plans and see what others are doing.

2026 Residents’ Rights Month Theme Announced

Check out the 2026 October Rights Month theme and materials at The National Consumer Voice. Its never too early to plan for celebrating Residents’ Rights’ Month! Email and let us know your plans.

Staff and Volunteer Spotlights

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!

LTC Ombudsman Program Volunteer Appreciation Week

April 19 – 25, 2026

Thank you to all our volunteers for giving your time and talents to work with our program and make a difference in the lives of the residents. The Kentucky Office of State LTC Ombudsman recognizes the impact of your volunteer service. You truly are a force that transforms the world.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) could not be its best without the volunteers who help carry out the mission of advocating for long-term care residents.

In federal fiscal year 2024, 3,598 volunteers trained and designated to investigate and resolve complaints, contributed over 293,000 hours of service to Ombudsman programs across in the country (according to the NORS data).

The Independent Sector determined the estimated value of a volunteer hour in 2024 was $34.79. For the Ombudsman program, that is over $10.2 million of assets due to volunteer service!

Due to the dedicated service of these volunteers, resident access to the Ombudsman program is enhanced significantly and thousands of residents receive information about their rights and have assistance and support in resolving their concerns.

Email us today if you are interested in becoming a LTC Ombudsman Program Volunteer!

Southern Regional Multi Agency Group

Pictured above are some of the members of the Southern Kentucky group after their recent meeting.

The Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) promotes advocacy aimed at improving both the quality of life and the quality of care for all people residing in long-term care facilities. In 2009 the LTCOP created the Multi Agency Regional Groups to:

Help participants understand each other’s roles and agency’s services,
Identify gaps and barriers in the coordination efforts of government agencies at the local level,
Increase coordinated efforts of agencies to address abuse and neglect, and
Identify issues and suggest policy and communication improvements.

Agencies participating in the Multi Regional Groups all hold specific roles in preventing and addressing abuse and neglect of older adults and possess a common goal of serving and protecting long-term care residents. As mentioned in the Protection of Nursing Home Residents Final Report 2010 by Governor Steven L. Beshear, key participating agencies include: Office of Inspector General, Adult Protective Services, Guardianship, Office of Attorney General, Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living, Protection and Advocacy and the District Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs.

Thank you to all the Multi Agency Regional Group members across the Commonwealth for your dedication to residents of long-term care facilities!

Learning Opportunities

Kentucky long-term care providers register now for Dementia Beyond Drugs, a state-funded dementia care conference designed to transform how nursing facility staff understand and respond to people living with dementia.

This learning experience helps care partners recognize behaviors as signals of unmet needs and strengthen resident well-being through person-directed practices. Choose from online sessions or in-person workshops scheduled across the state.

Learn more and register (no cost for Kentucky nursing home staff)

What provider staff will gain from this training:

Understand “behaviors” as unmet needs

Experience person-directed care strategies that improve resident well-being

Practical techniques your team can use immediately

Flexible options — online or in-person

No cost to Kentucky nursing home employees

Visit Consumer Voice’s Family Council Center

Family councils can play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family members and residents, and supporting facility efforts to make care and life in the facility the best it can be. Under the Nursing Home Reform Act, families have the right to organize and participate in a family council. However, it can be difficult to get councils started, whether that’s due to facility resistance, lack of family members interested in joining, or something else. Consumer Voice’s Family Council Center provides helpful tools for council development and maintenance, including how to overcome the obstacles they may face, as well as the specific language in federal law that gives families the right to come together to advocate for residents. The Family Council Center also provides examples from councils across the country that can be used to bolster new or current family councils.

Check out the Kentucky Family Council Manual prepared by the Kentucky Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Check out the summary highlightgs below of the Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Nursing Home Residents and Health Care Personnel — United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season Report.

What is already known about this topic?
Nursing home residents and health care personnel (HCP) are at increased risk for exposure to influenza, and nursing home residents are at increased risk for severe influenza. Routine annual seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for eligible persons, including HCP and persons at increased risk for severe influenza.

What is added by this report?
During the 2024–25 influenza season, influenza vaccination coverage was 61.3% among nursing home residents and 42.1% among HCP working in nursing homes; coverage among HCP varied by employment type.

What are the implications for public health practice?
Implementation of influenza vaccination in conjunction with preventive interventions including influenza testing, antiviral treatment, proven infection prevention and control measures, and antiviral chemoprophylaxis can help protect nursing home residents and HCP from influenza illness and its complications.

Influenza vaccination coverage among nursing home residents was lower than that among the general population aged ≥75 years during the same seasonal period (75.6%). This difference in vaccination coverage between these two populations might be partially due to differences in how the data were collected but also might indicate barriers to vaccination that are unique to nursing home residents.

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!