The Franklin County Commissioners have proclaimed October to be National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month in Franklin County. In doing so, the commissioners are asking everyone to be “citizen advocates” on behalf of these special individuals, their needs and their right to be heard. It’s also a time to highlight the important role ombudsmen play as residents’ champions.
National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month serves to reaffirm the individual rights of the 1.2 million Americans residing in nursing homes and the more than 1 million individuals who call assisted living or assisted residential care facilities home. Though they live in a congregate setting, each resident is a unique person deserving autonomy, respect and the ability to have a say in his or her own care.
“It’s easy to lump those living in long-term care facilities into one single unit or group, but each person is just as unique as the next, and they should be celebrated and protected,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “These residents have a right to have a say in their own care, and they deserve to have their voices heard. We support these individuals and their rights as well as those who advocate on their behalf.”
Locally, more than 1,900 residents live in long-term care facilities in Franklin County. Those individuals are served by Franklin County’s Ombudsman Program, which advocates for those who can’t, supports those who can and ensures that all long-term care consumers live with dignity and respect. Ombudsmen staff and volunteers ensure that residents’ rights are respected and that complaints are investigated. They also help residents understand their rights under federal and state law and how to address problems affecting their quality of life such as care, mistreatment, dietary concerns, missing property and more, if such issues arise.
Franklin County welcomes individuals interested in serving as volunteer ombudsmen. Volunteer ombudsmen are specially trained to provide information, guidance and representation to assist residents with problems and concerns they may have in their specific facilities. Duties include making visits to Franklin County’s 29 long-term care facilities at least once per quarter to discuss residents’ concerns that may need to be addressed and then escalating issues to the county ombudsman for investigation, if warranted. In doing so, volunteer ombudsmen ensure residents’ rights are respected and protected.
By recognizing National Long-Term Care Residents’ Rights Month, the Franklin County Commissioners are calling upon all citizens to recognize and support the rights of all long-term care residents as well as encouraging others to step forward to become volunteer ombudsmen in their communities.
To learn more about the Franklin County Ombudsman Program or about becoming a volunteer ombudsman, visit www.franklincountypa.gov/
departments/ombudsman-program or call 717-261-0631, ext. 20631.
