Author Archives: Priyanka Patel

January 2022 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

Advocacy Update! Senate Bill 11  Your voice was heard, and the Senate Committee Substitute of Senate Bill 11 grants Assisted Living residents with the same rights as other long-term care residents.  In addition, Assisted Living residents will have access to the Ombudsman program. In case you missed it, Senate Bill 11 was filed on 1/4/2022 and is […]

December 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

Holiday Hints for Residents, Family, Friends & Caregivers of Long-Term Care Residents   The holiday season is a time for reconnecting with family, friends, and neighbors. Residents of long-term care facilities often need and enjoy your attention during the holidays. We hope these holiday hints will help loved ones and long-term care residents enjoy the holiday […]

October 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

Thank you to Governor Andy Beshear for proclaiming October Residents’ Rights Month in Kentucky! Residents’ Rights Right to Be Fully Informed Right to Complain Right to Participate in One’s Own Care Right to Privacy and Confidentiality Rights During Transfers and Discharges Right to Dignity, Respect, and Freedom including freedom from abuse and neglect Right to […]

September 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

New COVID-19 Guidance Issued September 10, 2021 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) memo QSO-20-38-NH REVISED 09/10/2021 regarding the Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements was released Friday September 10. In this version of the latest […]

August 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

Residents Eligible for Booster Shot State health commissioner Dr. Steven Stack announced on August 17, 2021 that residents of Kentucky’s long term care facilities are eligible to have a third booster shot against COVID-19. In a letter to providers and their pharmacies Dr. Stack wrote, “Due to the age, condition, and high COVID-19 mortality rate of nursing […]

June 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

Nursing Home Visitation and Quarantine Check out this resource Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Advocacy Strategies for Families from the National Consumer Voice.  Consumer Voice explored guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to answer common question and here are a few examples Read the entire e-newsletter […]

May 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

NEW GUIDANCE! Restrictions are reduced for long-term care On May 13, 2021, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services released Provider Guidance Update: Phased Reduction of Restrictions for Long Term Care Facilities. As everyone knows by now, long-term care was hardest hit by COVID-19 because residents of these facilities tend to be older and have multiple […]

March 2021 KY State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program E-Newsletter

The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services Issued New Visitation Guidance for Nursing Facilities. The new guidance allows indoor and outdoor visits for all residents, except in limited circumstances.  Infection prevention protocols are still in place and must be followed by all visitors.  Visitation is allowed regardless of vaccination status. Limitations on visitation may occur: for unvaccinated […]