Residents of Long-Term Care facilities have been through many challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. And while many attributes of long-term care have changed since Covid-19 began, the right for residents to expect dignity, respect, and quality, individualized care in those facilities should not be one of those challenges.
Residents still have the right to live a life void of mistreatment. Mistreatment of a resident is anything that causes physical, mental and/or emotional harm and includes acts of abuse, neglect and exploitation. If you, or someone you know, have experienced any of these mistreatments, you have the right to report them without fear of retaliation.
An Ombudsman Supervisor is a resource that can advocate on behalf of a resident who would like to report mistreatment, neglect, or abuse in a long-term care facility. The Ombudsman Supervisor works to ensure the resident’s care is done respectfully, with dignity, and free of mistreatment, even during a pandemic.
An Ombudsman Supervisor can also help mediate for the resident to make sure the facility is not only providing individualized care that maintains or enhances their quality of life and supports each resident’s well-being, but that the facility is also providing reasonable accommodation of individual needs or preferences.
Reports of mistreatment, neglect, or abuse can also be reported directly to the facility administrator, social worker, other staff member, or by calling the Adult Protective Services Hot Line (1-800-522-3511), and in dire cases, by calling local law enforcement.
If you would like further information about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or would like to make report of mistreatment, neglect, or abuse for yourself or a loved-one, call your local Ombudsman Supervisors at (405) 273-6410, Denise Luzmoor, ext. 133, for Lincoln County and or Cherry Love, ext. 127 for Pottawatomie County.