HAVE YOU RECENTLY dined at a restaurant? Did you receive an itemized bill for review prior to paying? Would you pay without receiving an itemized bill? Would you pay if your family member reviewed the bill and you were not permitted to do as such? How would this make you feel?
Did you know that entering into long-term care does not strip you of any of your rights? In fact, you have additional rights! The Ohio Revised Code outlines the special rights of long-term-care consumers. Let’s take a moment to highlight one of these using a case example.
“My family is always complaining about how much it costs to live here, but I never get to see the bill that the nursing home sends out to my family. I worry that I am being billed for services that I’m not getting. I worry so much that sometimes I can’t sleep at night.”
In this scenario, the consumer should be receiving a copy of the bill, even if there is a power of attorney assisting with review and payment.
Next, let’s also take note of the feelings associated with this scenario. Not sleeping at night could be due to the worry of finances or other causes. Seeing a bill monthly may alleviate the worry for this consumer and assist with better sleep. However, if sleeping difficulty persists, the facility should take note and initiate interventions to assist. Would a change in routine assist with better sleep? Is the environment conducive to sleep? Is the sleep disturbed due to medication side effects? The consumer also has the right to care that is inclusive of physical and psychological needs.
It may be difficult to know what to do if you or a loved one is a consumer of long-term-care services and there is a concern. Oftentimes—like in the example above—we see compound issues impacting the actualization of resident rights and dignity in care. We (Ombudsmen) are here to help!
Each state is designated by the federal government to implement a Long-Term-Care-Ombudsman Program. The representatives of the Ombudsman Program work with the consumers of long-term-care services to advocate for their individual rights. We advocate for consumers in nursing homes, assisted livings, group homes, and those receiving home-care services.
Our regional team serves 17 counties in Ohio and provides services, free of charge. Our work would not be possible without our team of certified volunteers. For more information about receiving services or volunteering with our program, please call 419-259-2891.
Lori Davis is Region 4 Volunteer Coordinator for the Ombudsman office.
The consumer has the right to examine and receive a bill at least monthly for the care from the home that itemizes charges not included in the basic rates.
