OUR REGIONAL TEAM serves 17 counties in Ohio and provides services free of charge. Our work would not be possible without our team of volunteers. But, what do volunteers do while they are out and about? Below is another example (to build off last month’s) of how our volunteer ombudsmen interact with residents in long-term care: Hi, my name is Mr. Robinson. You met my friend Mrs. Smith in last month’s article. I am a temporary resident of Strong Oaks Care Center. Before coming here, I had a routine surgery, but recovering was taking longer than I expected. I was told that I should go to a nursing facility for some therapy to get strong before going home. I really wanted to go home, but I have no one to help take care of me or help until I feel better. I have been here for five days, and it has been rough. I had a fever when I first arrived, and I refused therapy two times because I wasn’t feeling well. Today, the facility handed me a paper that said my Medicare was going to stop covering my therapy and I would have to go home. I was so worried because I didn’t think I am strong enough to go home.
I was very upset and worried but had no one to talk to about my concerns. Then, after lunch today, a visitor came by the facility. It was a gentleman named John, and he asked for permission to meet with me. He said he is an ombudsman and he visits people to make sure they are receiving good care and know their rights. He was a great listener and made me feel comfortable sharing my experience. So, I told him what was on my mind and my worries about this notice I just received. John told me about my rights and that the facility should provide me information on how to appeal the Medicare decision. He even pointed out the information on the written notice I had received. He also explained that my Medicare coverage is “up to” 100 days, but that isn’t a guarantee you will be able to use them all at once. No one had ever explained my Medicare coverage like that or how to make sure my rights were respected when it came to my insurance and the facility responsibilities. John left, and I called to file an appeal with my insurance. Hopefully I will get a little more therapy before I go home. At least now I know my rights!
Our volunteer ombudsmen make differences for people every day by just sharing information and providing a safe place to ask questions about long-term care. Ombudsman volunteers serve a particularly important role in residents’ lives; through advocacy, our volunteers help ensure resident rights and quality of life are respected and upheld each day.
For more information about receiving services or volunteering with our program, please call 419259-2891.
Lori Davis is Region 4 Volunteer Coordinator for the Ombudsman office.
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