OSNC provides advocacy services for residents in long-term care facilities in the counties of Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sutter, Trinity, Yolo and Yuba. The services are mandated by Federal and State laws.
How to Report Abuse in
Long-Term Care Facilities
 
Ombudsman representatives promote and protect the rights and the quality of life for long-term care residents, maintaining a presence in long- term care facilities; identifying and receiving complaints; and, by working with state and local agencies to make improvements in long-term care practices, laws, regulations and policies.

Problem solving through facility visiting and complaint investigation
The Ombudsman’s goal in problem solving is to achieve satisfaction for residents. Ombudsman representatives work to build relationships with residents and staff, in order to better understand the resident's problems and to affect quality resolutions.

Real problem solving, in the facility, requires taking the time to understand what factors impact how the staff is working, as well as what the resident is experiencing. Since the Ombudsman’s primary responsibility is problem solving, Ombudsman take time to get to know the resident’s situation, in depth, and to look into creative solutions that are workable for the residents and staff. A solution will work only if it is based on mutual understanding and if it works for all parties. Ombudsman representatives seek to work in such a way that staff understand more of what is at the heart of a resident’s concerns and to find ways to respond to the resident’s needs.

Common Problems
Common problems likely to surface in facilities include:

  • Loneliness, the need for someone to talk with
  • Boredom: not enough social or personal activities
  • Problem with roommate(s)
  • Lack of privacy
  • Poor food service or quality
  • Inability to get services, care
  • Inability to live independently coupled with a desire on resident’s part to leave facility
  • Misuse of personal funds and personal possessions
  • Limited opportunities to go outside the facility for community activities
  • Physical and mental abuse
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    Maintaining a presence in long-term care facilities
    Federal and state laws mandate that the long-term care Ombudsman maintains a presence in long term care facilities. This is accomplished through unannounced monitoring visits, according to a facility coverage plan.

    Witnessing
    Ombudsmen are mandated under State law to serve as witnesses for the execution of Advance Health Care Directives (AHCD) and Transfers of Property in long-term care health facilities. The purpose of the Ombudsman witness is two-fold:

    1. To be assured that the resident has the capacity to understand the contents of the document;
    2. To be assured that the resident is signing the document willingly and voluntarily.

    Resident’s Rights
    Ombudsmen help residents and their families and friends understand and exercise rights guaranteed by law, both federal and state (Resident Right section require further development)

    In-service Training
    OSNC offers In-service training: to facilities in a variety of topics: Abuse Identification and Reporting, Resident’s Rights, Resident Councils, Family Councils and Advance Health Care Directives.