April 19, 2010
Protecting the Rights of Elderly Citizens in Illinois Long-Term Care Facilities
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program protects and promotes the rights and quality of life for people who reside in long-term care facilities in Illinois. Nursing home negligence lawyers support the work of the Ombudsman who have a hands-on working relationship with residents and staff members of these facilities. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is mandated by the Federal Older Americans Act and is helping prevent cases of Illinois nursing home neglect.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsmen program protects, advocates and defends residents by:
- Resolving complaints
- Informing residents and their families of their rights
- Advocating for good individualized care
- Providing information on residents needs and concerns to their families, facility staff and their community
According to Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys, the Ombudsman program is available to any resident in a long-term care facility, along with friends and relatives of residents. Staff members and administrators can also use the program as well as individuals and families considering nursing home placement. The Ombudsman program offers support to the entire community and any interested groups concerned with the welfare of long-term facility residents.
The Illinois Department on Aging defines a resident as “A personal 60 or older who is either a current resident, a prospective resident or a former resident of a long-term care facility.” When contacted, an Ombudsman will listen to all concerns, keep the information confidential, seek to resolve the problem and involve the resident and/or family in the investigation and resolution.
Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers recommend contacting an Ombudsman if you have a problem or concern, to seek information about long-term care facilities and to get answers to any questions you may have about facility services or standards, medical coverage, resident rights or transfer and discharge. Ombudsman are dedicated to protecting residents from being victims of Illinois nursing home neglect.
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