Long-term care ombudsman highlights resident rights and staffing concerns

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October is Resident Rights Awareness Month, and local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Ada Hilton is reminding nursing-home and assisted-living residents that moving into a care facility does not take away their right to make personal decisions.

Hilton recently appeared on WCSM’s Spectrum. She serves residents throughout Mercer, Auglaize and Van Wert counties, along with most of Allen County.

An ombudsman visits nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, speaks with residents and works with residents and facility administrators to resolve concerns. The program also accepts complaints involving home-based long-term care.

Hilton said residents, relatives, friends, visitors and facility employees may contact the program. Complaints can also be submitted anonymously.

Some of the most common concerns involve lengthy call-light response times, cold food, missed showers, inadequate repositioning of bed-bound residents and other care being delayed or skipped.

Hilton said many of those concerns can be traced to staffing shortages. She covers approximately 50 facilities and has heard similar concerns throughout the region.

Ombudsman investigations are driven by the wishes of the resident. After receiving a complaint, Hilton visits the facility and speaks directly with the resident. If the resident is satisfied with the care and does not want assistance, the ombudsman must generally respect that decision.

Conversations remain confidential until the resident grants permission to share the information. When a resident lacks the capacity to make decisions, Hilton may work with a court-appointed guardian or authorized power of attorney.

Residents retain rights that include deciding when to get up or go to bed, choosing what to eat, participating in activities, voting and receiving quality care. Hilton said retaliation for filing a complaint is also a violation of resident rights.

Families are encouraged to report urgent problems directly to facility administrators instead of waiting for an ombudsman to arrive. Hilton said the program is not a first-response agency, and a visit could take several days.

Families should document problems by recording dates, names and descriptions of what occurred. Warning signs may include repeatedly finding a resident in dirty clothing, poor hair or oral care, missed showers or excessive waits for assistance.

Hilton also discussed proposed Ohio legislation dealing with staffing requirements and the long-term care workforce. One proposal would distinguish nursing hours from nurse-aide hours when calculating direct care. Another would study employee training, burnout and turnover within the industry.

Hilton said improved staffing would benefit residents while also reducing the workload and stress placed on employees.

Residents and families with questions or concerns may contact Hilton directly at 419-461-6886.