New Jersey has a state-level Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO), previously known as the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly whose mission is to protect the rights of individuals who reside in facility settings which are nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities), assisted living facilities, group homes and continuing care retirement communities. Each of these facilities is highly regulated under state and federal statutes and regulations. Residents’ rights are established by law and readers of this blog are aware of many of these rights. When there is a dispute with the management of a facility which isn’t getting solved informally by the representative of the resident (whether that’s the resident’s spouse, adult child, guardian or lawyer, for example) and the internal lines of communication just don’t seem to be working, sometimes the answer is to contact the Ombudsman for intervention.
The process generally begins by making a phone call to the Ombudsman’s toll-free number which is 1-877-582-6995. Prepare a very concise version of the story so as to focus the Complaint. An example from a case I handled many years ago was this: “the resident lives in XYZ nursing home and wishes to move out to a different nursing home in another county, and she has repeatedly requested that medical records and summary sheet be faxed to the potential new facility but the XYZ Director refuses to honor the resident’s request.” One call to the Ombudsman’s office got that problem solved in a flash.
There are many useful publications that they can provide to you. Click here.
Keep in mind that the role of the Ombudsman’s office is to solve disputes between residents and facility management or staff so as to safeguard the resident’s rights vis-à-vis the facility’s policies or conduct. Don’t expect the Ombudsman to be able to intervene in inter-family disputes, which sometimes do occur related to visitation, access and fiduciary responsibilities. For problems like that, a different strategy will be needed and mediators, family counselors, trusted advisors and attorneys may all play a role.
Call us for advice and assistance on elder care and long-term care planning and quality of life planning ………. 732-382-6070