May 2006 Vol. 25. No. 5

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Ferndale: Transportation, meals on wheels, now a part of daily life

Older Americans Month champions choices for independence

Area Agency on Aging: Try riding the bus now that gas prices are so high

New CSL reps are from Del Norte County

McKinleyville seniors

Fortuna senior activities: Wellness Lecture Series at Senior Dining Room

Play ball! Humboldt Classics Senior Softball wants you

Ombudsman services - you can change a life

Pick up a copy today! Better yet, subscribe and never miss an issue!

Brought to you by

Residents of skilled nursing facilities are usually elderly and among California's most vulnerable individuals. At any given time, more than 100,000 Californians reside in nursing homes, and expenditures for nursing home care are more than $5.6 billion a year.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteers are community members who face life head on and work to make a difference for their neighbors. These advocates visit residents in long-term care settings to look and listen for ways to advocate. Some work towards changing the system, some work towards making the day-to-day issues better, some work towards educating residents about the rights they have, some work as advocates to resolve problems. The thing they all have in common is the desire to serve in our community to make a difference in the lives of elders.

Ombudsman Lonni Magellan says, "The Ombudsman position is one of advocacy. I ask the personnel if they have any concerns for the residents. I feel that if the employees are happy, then the residents will be happy also."

When asked if they could change one thing about the facility they visit, the Ombudsman response was overwhelmingly, "add more staff."

Ombudsman Marybeth Fitzpatrick sums it up, "I'd keep the facility staffed with twice the number of certified nursing assistants and train all staff in compassionate listening. One of the most important things you can do for a person residing in a skilled nursing facility is to visit regularly. Residents with frequent visitors generally fare better, both emotionally and physically, than residents without visitors."

A 30-minute visit from friends or family once a week can have a huge impact on the resident's well-being. While visiting with loved ones, friends and family may be able to address health and care concerns before they become serious complaints.

Many Ombudsmen find visiting residents one of the most rewarding parts of their volunteer work. Ombudsman Nancy Cook says "The thing I like best is the way faces light up when you walk in the room." She added, "I remain an Ombudsman, not because it makes me feel good, which is why some say we volunteer. In fact, a lot of days it makes me feel pretty hopeless. But I volunteer because I am appalled at the nursing home residents who have no family visits - some not even on holidays. I know the few minutes of attention I can give them matters."

Prospective residents or family members should visit each care facility under consideration. Look, listen and smell. Notice if residents are out of bed and dressed and participating in activities. Are the residents well groomed? Is the staff creating an atmosphere that is warm, pleasant and cheerful? Talk to residents and family members and ask questions. If possible, visit during mealtimes. Look at the menu. Is the food hot? Are residents promptly assisted if they need it?

Ombudsman Mary McNelis has been visiting residents for 50 years. She says "The best part is helping people solve their problems, if I can."

The need for admission often occurs during stressful times for a resident and family. As a result, residents and family members are inclined to agree to whatever conditions the facility presents. This inclination should be resisted. An admission agreement must detail basic and optional services, along with the charges for each. It must list facility policies that regulate the behavior of residents and detail any action or circumstance that would justify a resident's eviction.

Prior to admission, the facility must provide sufficient information about the facility, its services and its costs. Likewise, the prospective resident must provide sufficient information regarding his or her medical background and any service needs or functional limitations.

Call the office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. 443-9747, ext 220, to learn about the history of the facility under consideration. Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of both residential care facilities and skilled nursing facilities. The LTCO staff and volunteers visit facilities regularly and keep records of complaints and citations. The Ombudsman office also keeps updated lists of facilities and may be able to assist with placement options. In Humboldt and Del Norte counties, we have seven skilled nursing facilities and 36 residential care facilities for the elderly or assisted living facilities.

Ombudsman Cynthia Calderon offers this advice for anyone interested in becoming an ombudsman, "It takes so little to make a difference for someone. Residents have much to offer too. Many amazing people live in the care homes."