National Volunteer Week

Dear volunteers Thank you for being part of our Volunteer Ombudsman Programs and contributing a total of 447 hours in SFY 2020. National Volunteer Week looks different again this year, but please know we are grateful to you for your service and look forward to thanking you in person when it is safe to do so. Whether during normal times or the current times we are in now, you are an important member of our program, and we so appreciate your volunteerism to enrich the lives of others who live in long-term care facilities. Your contribution of time and effort with the Georgia State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is invaluable and your dedication and commitment are inspiring. Our State Ombudsman and program staff wish to express profound appreciation for your volunteer service. Although we wish we could celebrate with you in person, safety is our first priority. We thank all of our volunteers for their service to long-term care facility residents. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs could not provide many of the services that we do without your efforts, compassion, and commitment. It is our honor to celebrate you today, this week and every day! Please check out: The White House proclamation for national volunteer week

Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Virtual Awards Ceremony Monday September 28, 2020 1:00 pm Melanie McNeil, Esq.,State Ombudsman The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman presented its Annual Statewide Conference Awards in a virtual format on September 28. Ombudsman representatives from across the state celebrated their colleagues as awards were presented. The 2020 award recipients are as follows: 5 years of service Kim Johnson-Prince, Ombudsman Services Coordinator/ Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Kaleena Morgan, Ombudsman Representative/ South Ombudsman Program Linda Newton, Ombudsman Representative/ ACCA North Ombudsman Program 10 years of service Melanie McNeil, Esq., State Ombudsman/ Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Linda Bledsoe, Senior Certified Volunteer Ombudsman Representative/ West Ombudsman Program 25 years of service Roberta Collins, Ombudsman Representative/ West Ombudsman Program Newly Certified Ombudsman Representative Raphael Bunkley, Ombudsman Representative/ East Ombudsman Program Additional Continuing Education Award (ACE) Roberta Collins, Ombudsman Representative/ West Ombudsman Program Kristy Denny, Ombudsman Representative/ South Ombudsman Program Debbie Rogers, Ombudsman Representative/ South Ombudsman Program Phyllis Sadler, Ombudsman Representative/ East Ombudsman Program Sylenthea Street, Ombudsman Representative/ South Ombudsman Program Cat Young, Senior Certified Volunteer Ombudsman Representative/ South Ombudsman Program Residents’ Right to Vote: “CMS Reminds NFs About Residents’ Rights Requirements Related to the Right to Vote" according to CMS memo on October 5, 2020 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-21-02-nh.pdf

Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program For most of us, we have no problem letting someone know when our rights are being violated. But, have you thought about the rights of residents who happen to live in a long-term care facility? Do a person’s rights change when they are no longer completely independent? October is “Residents' Rights Month.” It is an annual event to honor those living in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living communities. It is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect, and the rights of each resident. The federal Nursing Home Reform Law guarantees residents’ rights and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity, choice, and self-determination. The law also requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each resident.” State law also protects the rights of all long-term care residents. Residents’ Rights Month is a time to raise awareness of these rights and celebrate residents. This year’s theme, “Connection Matters”, emphasizes connections – to family, to friends, and to the community – as an essential component of good health and quality of life for residents. During this time of pandemic, in-person visits are extremely restricted. It is more important than ever to help residents stay connected with family and friends using technology, window visits and other options. Residents’ Rights Month is an opportunity for residents, staff, families, ombudsman representatives, and other advocates to work together and promote quality long-term care. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program gives a voice to resident concerns, advocates for system and legislative changes, addresses complaints, and provides information and assistance to long-term care residents. We strongly encourage the community to participate in Residents’ Rights Month activities because our residents continue to be important members of our communities. To learn more about Residents’ Rights Month overall, please visit https://www.georgiaombudsman.org/ or call 1-866-552-4464, option 5 to connect with our ombudsman representatives.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

 

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th as designated by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.  The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. For more details, visit

https://acl.gov/news-and-events/events-and-observances/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day

Many organizations including Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs support strong advocacy to help end elder mistreatment. No one is immune to abuse, neglect and exploitation; it occurs in every demographic, and can happen to anyone.  We promote and protect each long-term care resident’s right to be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.  These and other  residents' rights are guaranteed by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law and state law.

Georgia State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides information, advocacy, and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity, and respect of long-term care facility residents. Please visit our website www.georgiaombudsman.org or contact our free, confidential number at 1-866-552-4464, option 5. 

 

Check out resources and information below to learn more about elder abuse:

https://ltcombudsman.org/events/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-weaad

https://www.un.org/en/events/elderabuse/

https://ncler.acl.gov/ElderJustice-Toolkit/About-Elder-Justice-Toolkit.aspx?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=ed64ab8e-28fa-405b-930d-f4d812fb840d

Final Week to Celebrate Older Americans Month

 

May is Older Americans Month.  According to Administration for Community Living (ACL), this year's theme, "Make Your Mark," highlights the difference everyone can make – in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers, and to strengthen communities. For more information, please visit https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/older-americans-month-2020-theme-announcement

Welcome to the last week of Older Americans Month! Even amid a global pandemic, Georgia Ombudsman Representatives have found ways to help long-term care facility residents with information and assistance, and addressing resident complaints to reach a resolution that satisfies the resident’s stated wishes.

For more information on Older Americans Month and the Older Americans  Act, please visit https://acl.gov/about-acl/authorizing-statutes/older-americans-act

Melanie McNeil, Esq., State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

 

Dear volunteers:

During this month of April in which we honor volunteers, I want to thank you for all that you do in advocating for long-term care facility residents. Even during this time when you cannot visit in person, residents are missing your presence just as you are missing them.  A quote I heartily endorse is “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

You may never know the profound effect that you have had on the vulnerable residents you serve.  A kind word, a gentle touch, or a listening ear can mean so much to someone who is sick, in pain or lonely. You generously give your gift of time to make many contacts, providing support and encouragement to make someone’s day a bit more bearable because you have taken the time to care and to listen.

You come from many different backgrounds. You have many different life experiences. And yet, you all have at least one thing in common: your willingness to give your time to help others. You volunteer for many different reasons, but whatever the reason may be, you provide support, skills, talents, and abilities to give someone hope, strength, and the courage to face another day.  You give your time generously without any expectation of reward. Yet, you receive the reward of comradeship with other volunteers who you may have never met otherwise. Lasting friendships, social activities, and new skills may be just some of the unexpected rewards that you gain from your volunteering experience.

I am humbled by your generosity of spirit and your compassion for your fellow human beings.  It is all of you who so generously give your time, your warmth, and your caring.  It is all of you, doing what you do, who make me proud to serve with you as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.  Thank you for volunteering.

 

 

From Melanie McNeil, Esq., State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

 

First and foremost, staff of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman hope you are safe and well.

During this unprecedented time, please know that the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program remains committed to our mission to advocate for quality of care and quality of life for long-term care residents. We continue to be available to residents, families, facility staff, the general public and others. 

Based on CDC guidelines and Governor Kemp’s executive orders, we have temporarily suspended in-person visits in long-term care facilities. You may still reach us by telephone, e-mail, or at our web site www.georgiaombudsman.org.  We will do our best to investigate and resolve complaints to the resident’s satisfaction by carrying out the necessary activities by telephone or e-mail, as appropriate. 

With orders restricting gatherings, we are not able to participate in community education events, resident council and family council meetings, or other in-person gatherings.  We are still available to provide information either by conference calls or by sending materials to groups that request them.

We are all learning new ways to communicate and stay connected.  Thank you so much for your continued support during these challenging times!

Please call us with any questions or concerns you may have by calling 1-866-552-4464 option 5 for Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or send us information securely at www.georgiaombudsman.org.

 

COVID-19 information and guidance can be found below:

Georgia Governor’s COVID-19 website:

https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-04-10/long-term-care-facility-covid-19-report

Georgia Department of Public Health COVID 19 status update

https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report

CDC – Corona Virus and long-term care

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html