Consumer Information
Consumer Information
17
September 17, 2024
State Reviews Reveal Concerns in Kitsap County Nursing Homes
Recent state reviews of nursing homes in Kitsap County have uncovered various issues affecting the quality of care for residents. From staffing shortages to regulatory violations, these findings highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring safe and adequate care for vulnerable populations. The reports underscore the need for improvements and stricter oversight to address these concerns and
16
September 16, 2024
WA LTC Ombudsman Program Brochure
Check out our program’s 2024 brochure, Ombuds Overview Brochure
6
September 6, 2024
Seattle Area Assisted Living Costs Soar, Creating Financial Strain for Families
The rising costs of assisted living in the Seattle area are placing significant financial pressure on families. With price tags reaching record highs, many are struggling to afford the care their loved ones need. This trend reflects a broader challenge in the U.S. as demand for assisted living services increases, but affordability continues to be
6
September 6, 2024
Devoted Volunteers Provide Vital Support to Long-Term Care Residents, But More Help Is Needed
Volunteers play a crucial role in checking on and supporting individuals in long-term care facilities, offering companionship and ensuring their well-being. However, there is a growing need for more volunteers to meet the rising demand. As our population ages, these dedicated individuals provide essential services, helping bridge the gap in care, but the shortage of
8
July 8, 2024
KEPRO is now “Acentra Health”
As of July 1, 2024, Kepro is officially Acentra Health, providing the same services, but with a new name and look. There are no changes that will impact the work you have come to expect from our company. BFCC-QIO for Same Regions Acentra Health is the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) for the
16
October 16, 2023
Medicare Quality Improvement Organization: KEPRO
If you have Medicare, Learn about the Rights you Have Under Medicare Kepro is the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) for 29 states. Kepro offers three services to help improve the quality of care and health outcomes for people with Medicare. For further information on these services and BFCC-QIO, please view
3
March 3, 2023
WALTCOP Volunteer Brochure
Click here to View and Download Volunteer Brochure
2
March 2, 2023
Dignity for All: Staffing Standards Now!
This month marks the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s announcement of historic nursing home reforms. Creating a minimum staffing standard, which would be the most significant increase in protections for nursing home residents in decades, was central to his plan. Since his announcement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has embarked on a
9
January 9, 2023
Fact Sheet: Expanding the LTC Ombuds Program 2023 State Legislative Session
Further Reading Long-Term Care Ombuds Program Funding Model Recommendations, Washington State Department of Commerce Decision Package 2023-25, Washington State Department of Commerce Fact Sheet [Click Here to Download PDF]
7
December 7, 2022
Resident Council Handbook
From the now retired, Resident Councils of Washington” “The goal of this project is simple and singular: To create opportunities for resident of long-term care facilities and homes to make and execute meaningful decisions. A resident council is one way to create decision-making opportunities for residents. We hope this books helps you think about and
7
December 7, 2022
AgeWise King County: Ombuds Volunteers Needed in King County
“We rely on trained volunteers who visit residents inside long-term care facilities. Volunteers are the eyes and ears, assessing how residents are doing. We flag incidents of poor quality of care and violations of residents’ rights, resolve complaints, and serve as a voice for residents who too often just don’t have one. Volunteers help residents with
30
November 30, 2022
Sequim Gazette: My life as a volunteer
By: Sequim resident Claudia Murray has 30 years of volunteering as an area long term care ombudsman at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across Clallam and Jefferson counties. November 30, 2022. “As we approach the holiday season — nearly three years into this global pandemic — I am reflecting on my role as
22
November 22, 2022
AARP: The Difference is You!
We so appreciate our allies at AARP Washington! They just published an amazing article explaining our volunteer program and our urgent need for new volunteers. “The pandemic has taken an extremely heavy toll on residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities. This period of prolonged isolation has caused declines in physical, cognitive,
14
October 14, 2022
Balancing Privacy & Protection: Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents’ Rooms
You and your family members might have considered installing a surveillance camera in your room to help determine that you are receiving appropriate care and being treated with dignity and respect, or to be a deterrent to abuse. Surveillance cameras can record video only, audio only, or both video and audio. While surveillance cameras and
5
October 5, 2022
Inspiring Unity within Our Community: Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Month, October 2022
Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Month, October 2022 Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities along with family members, ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and others will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents’ Rights Month in October. Designated by the National Consumer Voice
20
September 20, 2022
Choosing Care in an Adult Family Home or Assisted Living Facility
From the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration: If you or a loved one need more care than you can get at home, it may be time to explore residential care. Residential care is a term used to describe a home or facility where an adult can live
20
September 20, 2022
New Tool: Cancellation of Debt & Other Changes to the Federal Student Loan System that Impact Older Borrowers
New tool from NCLER: the National Center on Law and Elder Rights Student loan debt is one of the biggest contributors to the rise in the amount of debt held by older adults. The Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Department of Education recently announced a number of initiatives to ease the debt load of federal
14
September 14, 2022
Discharge Notification Kit
Updates: 3/15/2023 to include Request for an Administrative Hearing 6/12/2018 to include notification to the LTCO Program for “emergency transfers”. Discharge Postcard-template 6.12.18 NH Discharge Forms LTCOP-Fact Sheet NHs re discharge notices 6.12.18 Example-emergency-transfer-monthly-report-template 10-238 Request for an Administrative Hearing FACT SHEET: Notifying the Washington State LTC Ombuds of Facility-Initiated Discharges and Transfers The
10
June 10, 2022
Resident Rights
An Overview of Resident Rights If you live in a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, such as a nursing home, boarding home (also called “assisted living facility”), adult family home, or state operated veterans’ home, you have: The same civil and legal rights as all US citizens; plus A basic set of legally protected Resident Rights.
25
May 25, 2022
DSHS Residential Care Services – ALTSA Provider/Administrator Letters
Nursing Homes Assisted Living Adult Family Homes Subscribe to updates from the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADSHSALTSA/subscriber/new
23
April 23, 2021
Family Councils
ISSUE: Family members in a nursing home can join together to form a united consumer voice which can communicate concerns to facility administrators and work for resolutions and improvements by forming a family council. Family councils can play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, supporting new family members and residents, and supporting facility
25
January 25, 2021
2021- 25 Common Nursing Home Problems and How to Resolve Them
Beware: these 25 problems occur across the country. They happen in cities, suburbs, and rural communities. They also happen both in “good” and “bad” nursing homes. Even better nursing homes tend to follow standard procedures that violate federal law and harm residents. The best way to receive high-quality care is to settle for nothing else,
25
January 25, 2019
2019- 25 Common Nursing Home Problems and How To Resolve Them
Beware: these 25 problems occur across the country. They happen in cities, suburbs, and rural communities. They also happen both in “good” and “bad” nursing homes. Even the better nursing homes tend to follow standard procedures that violate federal law and harm residents. The best way to receive high quality care is to settle for
25
June 25, 2018
Notifying the Washington State LTC Ombuds of Facility-Initiated Discharges and Transfers
Discharges and Transfers for Nursing Homes FACT SHEET: Notifying the Washington State LTC Ombuds of Facility-Initiated Discharges and Transfers Transfer and Discharge Notices for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Q1: When a facility initiates a discharge or transfer of a resident, who must the facility notify in writing? A1: Pursuant to 42 CFR 483.15(c)(3),
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November 30, 2017
Report to the Legislature: Assisted Living Facility Rates Methodology
The 2017 Legislature directed the Department of Social and Health Services (the Department) to facilitate a stakeholder workgroup review of the Medicaid payment methodology for contracted assisted living, adult residential care, and enhanced adult residential care. The initial methodology originates from the early to mid-2000s and for several reasons, a documented methodology to support assisted