02-19-2025 PTL - Flipbook - Page 14
14 A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, February 19, 2025
LONG-TERM CARE
We’ve got your back
The essential role of the
long-term care ombudsman
By Margit B. Weisgal, Contributing Writer
A
s the global population ages, ensuring the dignity and well-being of older
adults has become a critical societal responsibility. In the United States,
the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) plays a pivotal role
in protecting the rights and interests of individuals residing in long-term care
facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In Maryland, it has
responsibility for 223 nursing homes, 1,964 assisted living facilities, and facilities
within continuing care retirement communities: 54,000 beds, according to the
Administration for Community Living.
Origins and Evolution of the LTCOP
“Begun in 1972 as a demonstration
program, the Ombudsman Program today
exists in all states, the District of Columba,
Puerto Rico, and Guam, under the authorization of the Older Americans Act,” states the
Administration for Community Living. “Each
state has an Office of the State Long-Term
Care Ombudsman, headed by a full-time state
ombudsman. Thousands of local ombudsman staff and volunteers work in hundreds
of communities throughout the country as
part of the statewide ombudsman programs,
assisting residents and their families and providing a voice for those unable to speak for
themselves.”
What is an Ombudsman?
An ombudsman is a paid or volunteer
advocate tasked with investigating and
addressing complaints made by individuals
or groups. In the context of long-term care,
ombudsmen work to ensure that residents –
often among the most vulnerable members of
society – receive the care, respect and dignity
they deserve. These advocates are trained to
handle a wide range of issues, from concerns
about food quality and medical care to allegations of abuse and neglect.
“We advocate for quality of life and quality of care for residents who live in long-term
care,” says Karrie Craig, Maryland’s State
Long-Term Care Ombudsman. “We are resident directed and advocate for resident rights
including the right to make choices.”
How It Works
Lynn McCamie, a Baltimore County
ombudsman, explains how they stand up for
those in long-term care facilities. “A resident
calls the ombudsman and says I’m diabetic
and want chocolate cake every day.” This is
one side of the situation. The other side is the
home and the physician and the family, all of
whom say you can’t eat cake. To the resident,
it feels like the whole world is against them.
But we have their back. The ombudsman
stands by their side.
“We educate the residents on the longterm care situation: how it works, the direction
it goes in. If the resident wants something the
home doesn’t provide, we may have to go to
an outside resource or partner with an oversight agency. We put the resident’s voice on
the table. Or we may have to bring in outside
partners in the community who advocate for
the resident.”
McCamie is one of the 41 local ombudsmen Craig oversees. They are in every county
in Maryland. LTCOP operates under the guidance of the Administration for Community
Living (ACL). In 2016, a final rule further clarified the responsibilities and rights of ombudsmen, solidifying their role as critical advocates
for residents.
Ombudsmen are 100% resident directed.
And the residents have rights, such as:
• The right to dignity and respect.
• The right to make personal choices,
such as dietary preferences or social
activities.
• The right to access social services and
maintain relationships with family and
friends.
• The right to be informed about and participate in their care plans.
Unfortunately, not all residents are aware
of their rights, and many fear retaliation if they
voice complaints. Ombudsmen play a crucial
role in educating residents and their families
about these rights, building trust and ensuring
that residents feel empowered to speak up.
Advocating for Resident Rights
“We make sure residents have choices,”
McCamie explains. “Our job is to make sure
they are safe because they are a vulnerable
population and need care. Anyone in their
position is going to be fearful. So, if a resident
has been abused, we lay out their options
and then the resident decides. That’s how we
build trust.
“Another facet of our jobs is to help create
a Residents Council at a facility, so if there
is something that could affect all the residents, then we advocate for all the residents.
Sometimes facilities will have smaller committees, but we are there when they need us.
“Nursing homes are required to have a
resident council, and we provide technical
assistance to help them set one up. We also
help set up family councils. With more technology, more family councils exist as they can
participate via a video link.”
Craig and McCamie agreed that being an
ombudsman is the best job they ever had and
the most rewarding when they help a resident
voice their concerns. And everything is completely free and completely confidential.
Craig describes what the resident perspective is like. “Nursing homes and assisted
living facilities are just that, the residents’
homes, where they live, and a home is where
they feel safe and comfortable and where
residents are not judged. Every single one is
different as is our advocacy. Each person is
respected, and we personalize what we do for
them based on what they need and want. We
help them make a care plan that allows them
to retain their individuality.”
The Scope of the LTCOP
Key services provided by the Maryland
