Office Of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care Enhancing the quality of life and the quality of care for adults receiving long-term care

1978 Congress establishes LTC ombudsman under Title III-B of the Older Americans Act

1989 LTC Ombudsman program expands to consumers of home care services

Confidentiality Identity of client & related data Identity of complainant & related data

Not Mandated Reporters Whoa! Seriously?? Why?? “Sylvia, here comes Ethel, that volunteer from the Ombudsman Program. You can tell her anything and she can’t tell anyone”

Who Contacts the Ombudsman? Family/Friends Consumers Provider/Staff Social Service Staff & Others Unknown/unwilling to identify

Examples of complaints Sexual abuse Sexual identity Care issues Family issues Visits Involuntary discharges Not knowing rights of appeal and other information

Policies needed for prevention of sexual violence Person – centered planning (Albert Lea) How to interview Triggers for people with dementia Accessible, safe entry points for Immigrants People with disabilities Specific cultural communities People who are GLBT

Policies continued Data collection Mandated Training Review of what goes wrong Dissect the incidents Physical spaces Privacy issues Generational issues

“Never doubt for a moment that a small, committed, group of citizens can change the world. Indeed- it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead