|
|
Counseling, Support and Advocacy
Legal Assistance
Advice and counsel for older persons and their families faced with financial and legal concerns.
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass in Morehead is our Legal Assistance provider. Staff provides counseling regarding
the following areas of public and private benefits as well as many others including family law, wills and living wills, consumer problems and housing problems.
District Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Buffalo Trace District Ombudsman serves approximately 500 nursing home, family care home residents and their families
(as well as other interested consumers) in Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason and Robertson Counties. The primary objective
of the Ombudsman is to:
* Protect the rights of nursing home residents
* Empower residents to make informed choices
* Monitor and work to enact laws protecting older Kentuckians
* Be a regular friendly visitor to residents
* Assist with Long-Term Placement
* Provide Training to Nursing Facility Staff and Residents
* Educate the Public on laws pertaining to Long-Term Care, Elder Abuse and Medicare
* Identify, investigate and work to resolve residents' concerns and complaints
Number of contacts and complaints handled in 2009
In FY 2009, there were 6,147 complaints handled in the state of Kentucky at long-term care facilities.
Examples of complaints handled by the Ombudsman
Ombudsmen address concerns in a number of areas that include unanswered call buttons, roommate problems, staffing, food, abuse,
financial exploitation and unsanitary conditions.
Hints for choosing a long-term care facility
* Visit the facility 2 or 3 times at different times of the day and on the weekend. Include visits at mealtimes.
* Use and listen to your senses: sight, smell and hearing.
* Notice whether facility and residents are clean.
* Notice how staff interact with residents. Do they treat them with respect and kindness?
* Review the facility activity calendar to see whether quality activities are provided and actually occur at scheduled times.
* Ask whether the facility has active family and resident councils, and speak to members about their impressions of the facility.
* Ask to see the most recent Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services annual survey findings and ask questions about any
finding that concerns you.
* Meet with the facility administrator and other key personnel, including the Director of Nursing, Social Work Director and Activities Director.
* Ask to visit living areas where your loved one will reside. The room you are shown should reflect your payment source and your loved one's medical needs.
* Ask to see the dining area where your loved one will be eating/be fed. Review the menu. Visit during a meal.
* Carefully review the facility admission packet for information on fees and policies.
For Assistance contact Angela Horch at 606-564-6894 or 800-998-4347,
Click HERE to email Angela.
The Buffalo Trace Area Development District provides services on a non-discriminatory basis.
Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request for those with hearing, visual and all other handicaps.
© 2009 BTADD. All Rights Reserved. All Logos and Trademarks are property of their
respective owners.
|  |
