January 2026

Behind Closed Doors: Understanding the Resident Experience

The National Consumer Voice published the findings of their 2025 Resident Survey in a new report on resident experiences. More than 450 residents responded and shared their perspective!

Much like the Kentucky State Ombudsman Program’s Resident Forum Report from 2024, their findings show many residents feel ignored, isolated from the greater community, and disrespected while in long-term care.

Read the full report from the Consumer Voice here.

Electronic Monitoring

We are pleased to announce the introduction of House Bill 491, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson. House Bill 491, is legislation designed to protect residents in long-term care facilities by allowing residents who want to to use electronic monitoring devices – such as video cameras with audio – in resident rooms to deter abuse and neglect and to increase transparency and accountability. This type of legislation, was referred to in Ohio as “Esther’s Law.” Esther was a long-term care resident who suffered multiple incidents of physical abuse and neglect by facility staff.

Electronic monitoring in long-term care facilities is permitted in at least 20 states, and these bills have typically passed unanimously. The contents of the bill include: resident consent; facility notice requirements; privacy safeguards; permitted use of recordings; and anti-retaliation protections.

You can support the passage of this legislation by contacting your legislator (find your legislator here). You may also wish to contact Representative Johnson to express appreciation for his courage in filing this bill.

Check out a podcast by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) to hear a thoughtful discussion about residents utilizing cameras.

Act Now Comment Period Ends Soon

On December 3, 2025 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule rescinding part of the minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. The interim final rule will go into effect on February 2, 2026. CMS is accepting comments on the rule until that date. Individuals wishing to submit comments may do so here.

To assist with commenting, Consumer Voice held a webinar on January 15, 2026. View the webinar recording and access the PowerPoint slides.

Despite this disappointing announcement, we must all continue to fight for the dignity, safety, and well-being of nursing home residents and those who care for them.

Breaking the Silence

A new film, Breaking the Silence, emphasizes the importance of long-term care residents understanding their rights and the resources available to them. It is about understanding resident fear due to a power imbalance and the potential for negative consequences. The video emphasizes the importance of residents understanding their rights and available resources, like the Ombudsman Program, for residents who are afraid to speak up about the fear of retaliation. Ombudsmen are advocates who can investigate complaints and work to resolve concerns on behalf of residents. The video encourages residents to seek support from ombudsmen, resident councils, family, friends or trusted staff members to address their concerns and ensure they receive the care they deserve. The film features powerful storytelling, and does an excellent job illustrating the services provided by the Ombudsman Program as well as the need that exists for long-term care resident advocacy.

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!

The Buffalo Trace District LTC Ombudsman Program serves Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, and Robertson counties. If you are interesting in volunteering in those counties please contact Amanda Grooms, Buffalo Trace District LTC Ombudsman.

Volunteer Spotlight Brooke Gillingham

Brooke joined the Northern Kentucky District LTC Ombudsman program as a volunteer in 1997.

Brooke was a volunteer Certified LTC Ombudsman for many years and recently transitioned to the role of Friendly Visitor.

Brooke is a graduate of Thomas More University. Her passion is to help people. Brooke says volunteering with the LTC Ombudsman Program is a perfect way to serve others.  Brooke visits residents in two facilities each week.

When Brooke is not volunteering, she enjoys playing computer games, shopping, and playing cards.

The Northern Kentucky LTC Ombudsman Program serves Boone, Campbell, Carroll Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton counties. If you are interested in volunteering in those counties contact Bethany Breckel, Northern Kentucky District LTC Ombudsman.

Volunteer Spotlight Mary Claire Williams

Mary Claire joined the FIVCO District LTC Ombudsman Program in 2022. She serves as the Chairperson of the Advisory Council.

Mary Claire regularly works with the District LTC Ombudsman to promote the Ombudsman Program. She is a Social Work Instructor at Morehead State University and helps connect students with the program.

According to Amanda Hamilton, FIVCO District LTC Ombudsman, “She allows us to meet with students to promote our program and provide education such as the Virtual Dementia tour.”

Raising the awareness of students who may one day be working in the field of LTC is an important investment in our future.

The FIVCO District LTC Ombudsman Program serves Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence counties. If you are intested in volunteering in those counties contact Amanda Hamilton, FIVCO District LTC Ombudsman.

Volunteer Spotlight Shirley Holcomb

Shirley is an advisory council volunteer with the Kentucky River District LTC Ombudsman Program.

She has been volunteering with the Ombudsman Program for two years.

Shirley’s experience with long-term care began over thirty years ago
when her mother became a nursing home resident. Throughout the years Shirley has looked after several family members who were also nursing home residents.

Shirley retired from the Federal Department of Agriculture after 40 years of service. Shirley enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family. She remains active in her community, serving on the Library Board of Directors, the Women’s Club and the  Beattyville Housing and Development Board.

According to Sheila Cornett, District LTC Ombudsman, “We are fortunate to have her as a voice for residents and families. Shirley brings much wisdom and insight to our council.”

The Kentucky River District LTC Ombudsman Program serves Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, and Wolfe counties. If you are interested in volunteering in those counties contact Sheila Cornett, District LTC Ombudsman.

Purchase Area Seeking Volunteers

Check out a recent story about the need for volunteers in Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, and McCracken counties.

Purchase District LTC Ombudsman, Angela Farthing, recently shared with Will Spencer of The Mayfield Messenger that 60% of nursing home residents do not have visitors. Not having visitors while living in a facility can cause loneliness which leads to isolation, which then can lead to more chronic health problems.

Angela shared that regularly being around long-term care residents can improve life for the resident and volunteer. “Even when I go into the nursing facilities, I never walk out without a resident giving me some wisdom and advice,” Angela said.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Angela toll free at 1-877-352-5183.

“I don’t think anyone’s trying to purposely forget about them, but they’re just kind of unseen,” she continued. “We’re trying to change that and move forward, and tell people to please don’t forget about our elderly individuals.”

Dementia News

A Different Type of Dementia Is Changing What’s Known About Cognitive Decline

A recently recognized form of dementia is changing the understanding of cognitive decline, improving the ability to diagnose patients and underscoring the need for a wider array of treatments.

Patients are increasingly being diagnosed with the condition, known as Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE), and guidelines advising doctors how to identify it were published this year. LATE is now estimated to affect about a third of people 85 and older and 10 percent of those 65 and older, according to those guidelines. Some patients who have been told they have Alzheimer’s may actually have LATE, dementia experts say.

Read the full article.

Dementia Comes in Many Forms

Here’s what to know about the other main types of dementia and how they affect the brain.

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.

Our Contact Information
Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass
3138 Custer Drive
Suite 110
Lexington, KY 40517
8592779215
http://www.ombuddy.org