12/21/2022
There are many things in life that we just don't learn about until it is right in our face. Long-Term Care (LTC) is just one of those things, unless you work in the LTC industry.
I have had the opportunity to work with seniors and individuals needing specialized care that only the nursing home industry can provide and can do so, better than any other institution now available.
Of course, there is no place like home as Dorothy reminded us, but a good performing nursing home can be the next best thing.
With that said, there is also a lot of concerns related to nursing homes that choose not to meet compliance and perform well. Unfortunately, this number nationally seems to be growing in number.
How does the average person combat this growing concern? The best way is to become informed and don't be afraid to speak up.
Change never comes about through silence or fear of reprisal. Change is bold and can be at times "in your face".... It's not the ball that is rolling forward but the one that is diligently being pushed seemingly uphill that creates real change.
Covid has brought into the forefront long-term care facility issues that have been going on for years and just didn't have the momentum to make the bill, but now they are "in your face" and that is where they need to remain until the ball has reached the summit and they have been resolved.
The more we know about issues that happen in long-term care the more we can ensure that our loved ones receive the best care.
In Idaho, on the Health and Welfare website there is access to facility survey information that can help you choose a facility that provides the best care in your area. You are able to see the survey concerns that were identified and the facilities response to the concerns. You are also able to see complaints that were addressed by licensing investigations. Find facilities surveys here...
https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=4717&dbid=0&repo=PUBLIC-DOCUMENTS&cr=1
How can you file a complaint to licensing?
https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=16221&dbid=0&repo=PUBLIC-DOCUMENTS
Know the regulations that the nursing home is expected to follow:
https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=6044&dbid=0&repo=PUBLIC-DOCUMENTS
And
https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/guidance/manuals/downloads/som107c07pdf.pdf
Now, Assisted Living facilities are a different story altogether as they have far less regulations in place and make it far more difficult to put a real bite into poor performing facilities. That is why it is even more important to know how to review surveys and know what the facilities history of performance is. Often the only way to really get a facilities attention when things go badly wrong is through legal means.
For assisted living survey results check out the FLARES web page on the Health and Welfare website here...
https://www.flareslive.com/portal/SearchFacility.aspx
type in your facility name and your county and you are able to review survey results and ownership information.
If you are not able to resolve concerns don't beat around the bush reach out to the owners and explain the issues that you're having, and that licensing is the next door you will be knocking on.
Respecting confidentiality at all times remember a picture is worth a million words. There is nothing that makes a complaint more poignant than the ability to see what you are talking about... How can this be refuted.
And how do you place a complaint to licensing? Send in a complaint and label as FORMAL complaint to:
[email protected]
Long term care is a very lucrative business with outrageous cost to residents and families---so why shouldn't you get the care they say you will receive.
Know the regulations that assisted living facilities are required to be compliant to.... they are found here--
https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/16/160322.pdf
You are now armed with some knowledge to make your long-term care journey easier but when you need more assistance, please remember the long-term care ombudsman program we are here to advocate for residents residing in long term care facilities. There is an Area Agency on Aging in your area and that is where the ombudsman program resides.
Amanda Scott
State Long Term Care Ombudsman
