Demystifying the Office of Ombudsman

This week, we want to give another “behind the scenes” look at an aspect of home care. If you’ve heard or seen the term “ombudsman” in a home care context and are confused, this post is for you!

The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) is an advocacy agency that serves long-term care patients at home and in facilities, along with their loved ones. Their main priorities are advocating for patients, empowering patients to self-advocate, and resolving complaints about care quality. They also provide information about care options, patient rights, facility regulations, and other aspects of long-term care.

Communities of Care doesn’t have much interaction with the OOLTC, but they have been wonderful to work with. They are pleasant, resourceful, and responsive. They have updated information on statutes and can provide additional resources for us and our clients.

If you want to know more about home care, you can learn more here. You can apply for an open position and refer a client.

Legislation and Community Action

November 10, 2022

Joan Vaughn

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Written by Joan Vaughn

I’m Joan, and I know home care from the inside out. I’ve navigated my daughter through 24/7 home care nursing and managed her PCA’s. I’ve helped my parents move into (and out of) assisted living, Medicare episodes, skilled nurse visits, home health aids, and PCAs. Sandwiched in all of that, I’ve helped coordinate home care equipment and supplies, physical therapists, occupational therapists, county workers, and medications (oh, the medications). I know emergency departments, children’s hospitals, cancer wards, cardiac floors, and specialty units. I can recite health insurance policies (and call their bluff). I know a lot of other things in life too, like Shakespeare, where to sit to see a great sunset over a lake, how to keep myself healthy, how to read a profit/loss statement and state statutes, when to use a comma, and that gratitude is one of the keys to success. So I’m going to have this blog and write about home care from time to time. I’ll include topics like current legislation, professional boundaries in a tricky environment, and being a caregiver. I’ll also post some guest blogs from clients and nurses. Join me in the conversation.

View all posts by: Joan Vaughn

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