(910) 272-5061
(910) 521-7556
tca@lrcog.org 
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May 6 - June 20, 2011 is Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Click 
Click Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Long Term Care Ombudsman working for the Lumber River Area Agency on Aging provides an essential service to the older adults who are residents of long-term care facilities in the region. This person advocates for the rights of residents and is respopnsible for investigating complaints made by, or on behalf of, nursing and adult home care residents.
The Ombudsman does this by working directly with the resident and their family members, concerned citizens, facilities, and public and private agencies in the region to enhance the quality of care. The services of the Ombudsman are Free and Confidential.
In addition to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Community Advisory Committees are established in each of the counties. Bladen, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland Counties all have a Nursing Home and an Adult Care Home Advisory Committee. Due to the small number of facilities in Hoke County, there is only one joint Committee.
You can learn more about the work of our Long Term Care Ombudsman by reviewing the questions below.
Click once on each panel to open.
The Long Term Ombudsman does the following:
Answers questions and giving guidance about the long term care system. An ombudsman will:
- explain long term care options
- give pointers on how to select a long term care facility provide information on specific facilities (such as the latest and past certification reports and complaint information)
- explain residents' rights and other federal and state laws and regulations affecting long term care facilities and residents
- give guidance on the Medicaid and Medicare programs--specifically qualification criteria, application procedures and what services these programs cover
- give guidance on such matters such as powers of attorney, living wills and guardianship.
Educate community groups and long term care providers on various topics such as residents' rights, restraint use, care planning, activities and new laws.
Investigate and assess matters to help families, residents and families resolve concerns and problems. Common areas of complaints include:
1. medical and personal services being provided to residents such as problems with medication, nutrition and hygiene
2. financial concerns such as handling of residents' funds, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
3. rights of residents, such as the right to be treated with courtesy and to have individual requests and preferences respected
4. nursing home administrative decisions, such as admission to or discharge from a facility.
Work with appropriate regulatory agencies and refer individualsto such agencies when resolution of issues are not possible through theOmbudsman Program alone.
Raise long term care issues of concern to policymakers.
Community Advisory Committees are volunteers who are appointed by the county commissioners. Members must reside within the county they serve and are appointed to terms of 1-3 years.
Members of the Community Advisory Committees in each county:
1. Visit facilities, interact with residents, and ensure that the Residents’ Bill of Rights is being followed.
2. Advocate for quality care in the community.
3. Advocate for residents of long term care facilities and work on the local level to resolve complaints.
4. Promote awareness of elder abuse.
When an older adult enters a nursing home or an adult care home their fundamental rights are protected. In North Carolina, we do that through the "Bill of Rights" documents for Nursing Homes seperately from Adult Care Homes.
You can access the Bill of Rights for Nursing Home residents HERE.
You can access the Bill of Rights for Adult Care Home residents HERE.
Here are some other resources on nursing homes and adult care facilities:
1. Choosing a Nursing Home: A North Carolina Consumer Guide at http://www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp.
2. Friends of Residents in Long Term Care
883-C Washington Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 782-1530
Email: forltc@mindspring.com
Website: http://forltc.org
3. National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform http://www.nursinghomeaction.org