OMBUDSMAN UPDATE

Empowering Families of Nursing Home Residents: Ombudsmen Representatives Host Virtual Family Council Meetings

In our service area, our Ombudsman Representatives support residents in 72 nursing homes across 48 counties. We aim to empower residents and families by providing information on facility selection and obtaining quality care. Our trained representatives play a crucial role in addressing residents’ problems and often serve as their only voice.

Federal law allows facility residents to form a united consumer voice through resident and family councils. These councils are instrumental in expressing concerns, advocating for improvements, and supporting new residents and families. While resident council groups are prevalent, maintaining family councils has been challenging due to various reasons, such as families’ daytime commitments.

To address this issue, Ombudsman Representative Jodi Posey proposed the concept of “virtual family council meetings.” These meetings serve as a platform to engage family members, discuss common nursing home issues, and provide tips for resolution. Jodi, along with Program Coordinator Frances Guice and other representatives like Sylenthea Street, distributed invitations to families, inviting them to the inaugural meeting on March 28 at 6 pm.

The meeting was well-received, with several family members and Ombudsman Representatives attending via Zoom. Jodi led the discussion, highlighting the Ombudsman Program and addressing common resident issues. The following day, we received a grateful message from a family member, expressing their intention to discuss topics like alternate menus, bathing rights, and unnecessary bed rest with their loved one.

People often underestimate their ability to effect change. Jodi believes that a united voice can accomplish what an individual may not. Family councils led by family members can be powerful catalysts for nursing home improvement. Jodi hopes that more families in our region will engage and establish effective family councils in the care communities where their loved ones reside.

Encouraging nursing home social workers to involve family members in family councils, the Ombudsman Representatives have shared helpful resources, including by-laws, sample agendas, and best practices. Currently, only three family councils remain active out of 72 nursing homes in our region, partly due to the impact of COVID-19. A strong family council significantly reduces the number of facility complaints by facilitating internal problem-solving rather than resorting to external agencies like the survey agency or the Ombudsman Program.

For more information on starting a family council or participating in virtual meetings, please contact Jodi Posey at 229-349-6526 or Sylenthea Street at 229-854-2207.