Resource Directory Results
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Resolving Problems in Nursing Homes
Every nursing home should have a complaint procedure policy. If you have concerns or complaints, ask about the policy and follow the organization's procedures. You also may want to ask the nurse in charge to review your family member's care plan. If you are still uncomfortable with the situation, speak to the director of nursing, social worker, the administrator, or check to see if the nursing home has a family or resident council, (a group of advocates who try to improve the quality of life in the home). Often, nursing homes operated by large corporations have toll-free telephone numbers you can use to speak to a regional supervisor.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is empowered by both federal and state government to advocate for residents of adult care facilities, and nursing homes. Regional programs can investigate complaints from residents or their families. Adult Protective Services, through the Department of Human Services, the Ohio Department of Health, and the Bureau of Residential Care, also have access to adult care facilities and nursing homes and can pursue legal action, if necessary.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Baltimore MD 21244
Description:
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) falls under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides four primary services for the country's Medicare and Medicaid programs: administration of Medicare health plans; Medicare financial management; Medicare fee for service operations; Medicaid and children's health, survey and certification and quality improvement.
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-term Care
Washington DC 20036
Description:
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care was formed as NCCNHR (National Citizens` Coalition for Nursing Home Reform) in 1975 because of public concern about substandard care in nursing homes. The Consumer Voice is the outgrowth of work first achieved by advocates working for Ralph Nader and later for the National Gray Panthers.
Ohio Department of Aging
Columbus OH 43215
Description:
Golden Buckeye Card, Ohio Long-term Care Consumer Guide, and Ombudsman
Ombudsman
Ohio's Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Paid and volunteer staff work to resolve complaints about services, help people select a provider and offer information about benefits and consumer rights.
Ombudsmen do not policy nursing homes and home health agencies. Instead, they work with providers, residents, their families and other representatives to resolve problems and concerns. Ombudsmen advocate a person-centered approach to meeting the needs and honoring the preferences of their clients. Ombudsmen link residents with services or agencies, offer advice on selecting long-term care providers, inform consumers about their rights and provide information and assistance with benefits and insurance.
Ohio Long-term Care Consumer Guide
The Long-Term Care Consumer Guide provides information about nursing homes and assisted living facilities to help consumers, family members and professionals search for the appropriate facility to meet an individual's needs. If you have determined that you need to move to a nursing or assisted living facility, you can start to compare facilities by using the Ohio Long-Term Care Consumer Guide.
For personalized assistance with long-term care options, please contact the long-term care ombudsman program at 1-800-282-1206.
The Golden Buckeye Card
Golden Buckeye is a discount card available for residents of Ohio, age 60 years and older and adults 18-59 with permanent and total disabilities. The program offers discounts on meals, entertainment, merchandise, and services at participating businesses throughout the state. Look for businesses that display a "Golden Buckeye Honored Here" window decal. There are nearly 20,000 participating merchants statewide.
Seniors who have an Ohio driver`s license, an Ohio ID card or are registered to vote will automatically be sent a card in the mail when they reach age 60. The packet will have information on how to use the Golden Buckeye Card. If you do not receive the Golden Buckeye Card when you become eligible, you can pick up a Golden Buckeye application at a local senior center or your local branch library.
Ohio Department of Health
Columbus 43215
Description:
Complaints - Health Care Facilities and Nursing Homes
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Division of Quality Assurance, Complaint Unit maintains a centralized contact point and a coordinated information source regarding allegations submitted to the Complaint Unit involving all Medicare/Medicaid providers/suppliers under the jurisdiction of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, federal laws and state-licensed facilities under the jurisdiction of Ohio state laws.
Includes:
- Nursing homes, skilled nursing and nursing facilities.
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Hospitals.
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Residential homes, adult group homes, home for the aging, intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities, unlicensed homes, county homes, rest homes.
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Home health agencies, hospice agencies, renal dialysis centers , in-patient rehabilitation centers, ambulatory surgical centers, birthing centers, rural health clinics, free-standing radiation therapy centers, mobile diagnostic imaging centers, X-rays.
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Solid organ transplant services, bone marrow/stem cell transplantation services.
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Adult and pediatric cardiac catheterization services, adult pediatric open heart surgery services and pediatric intensive care services, obstetrics/newborn units.
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Clinical laboratories, and plasmapheresis centers.
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Any other federally certified or ODH-licensed health care service or treatment provider.
Pro Seniors
Cincinnati OH 45237
Description:
Pro Seniors is a contracted provider of Council on Aging offering the following services:
- legal assistance
- ombudsman services
More about Pro Seniors
Founded in 1975, Pro Seniors is a non-profit organization that provides free legal and long-term care help to older adults. Pro Seniors offers Ohio residents age 60 and older the advice and information they need to solve their legal and nursing home, adult care facility, and home health care problems.
The Pro Seniors Mission
Pro Seniors is dedicated to helping older adults maintain their independence by empowering them, by protecting their interests, and by helping them access resources.
What Pro Seniors Offers
Pro Seniors Legal Hotline serves the State of Ohio. By calling the Pro Seniors Legal Hotline, Ohio residents age 60 or older can receive free assistance over the telephone with a variety of legal or long-term care problems. In Greater Cincinnati, the number to call is (513) 345-4160. In other parts of Ohio, call (800) 488-6070. Find more information on the Legal Hotline by selecting the Legal Hotline link.
Legal Help
If you have a legal problem that cannot be resolved over the telephone, the Legal Hotline may refer you to a Pro Seniors staff attorney if you live in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton or Warren County. Pro Seniors' staff attorneys handle problems that many private attorneys do not, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, other government benefits and pensions. The Legal Hotline may also refer you to a private attorney who has agreed to accept cases at a reduced fee for clients with limited income.
Legal Information Pamphlets
Pro Seniors provides pamphlets on a variety of subjects, from Medicare and Medicaid to consumer fraud and food stamps. You can find a complete list by selecting the Pamphlets link.
Long-term Care Ombudsmen
If you have a complaint about a nursing home, Pro Seniors can help. The long-term care ombudsmen will investigate and work with you to resolve your concerns about nursing facilities in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties. Pro Seniors ombudsmen also handle complaints about home care and adult care facilities. You can find more information about the Ombudsman program by selecting the Ombudsman link. The Ombudsman can also help you choose the right care facility to meet your needs.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in assisting older people and have a few free hours each week, Pro Seniors offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more information about our volunteer Ombudsman Program, select the Ombudsman link. If you are concerned about fraud and waste in the health care system, select the Ohio Seniors Fight Fraud link to learn more about volunteering for this project. If you are an attorney, you can assist callers to the Legal Hotline or conduct legal research. Paralegals can provide valuable support to our legal staff. Volunteers also are needed to assist staff with mailings and other office projects.