Due to the circumstances in which they find themselves, many individuals living in long-term care facilities may face difficulties that they are incapable of handling on their own. Thus, finding an advocate that will ensure that an individual’s quality of life is up to the standards that they deserve is very important. This article will cover some of the information about long-term care advocacy that you need to know if your loved one is planning on entering a long-term care facility in the near future.
If you would like to get involved in advocating on behalf of a loved one in a long-term care facility, here are a few steps that you can take:
– Investigate Prospective Care Facilities: Do your own research into the care facility that you are considering, and plan to make a visit if possible, as this is always the best way to get a sense of how a facility operates. Also, if you know anyone who has prior experience with the facility that you are considering, make sure to consult with them.
– Visit as Frequently as You Can: Visiting is of course a great way to spend time with your loved one, but it will also give you a chance to become better informed about the care that they are receiving, and to stay vigilant for any signs of abuse or neglect. If you do suspect that abuse or neglect is occurring, being present in person will also ensure that you have easy access to social workers, who will be able to to assist you in advocating for your loved one’s care.
– Get to Know the Staff: If you are able to develop a relationship with the staff at the long-term care facility who are responsible for the care of your loved one, it is all the more likely that they will be sure to keep you well informed about your loved one’s condition, and listen to any concerns that you may have.
If you are short on time, or live too far away to be regularly present for your loved one’s care, there are two main alternatives that will help your loved one find the advocacy that they need.
– Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Every state in the U.S. has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP), which will put residents of long-term care facilities in contact with a long-term care ombudsman, a person who’s job it is to advocate for residents and to bring about changes in the long term-care system which will benefit them.
– Protection and Advocacy Programs: Every U.S. state also has something called a Protection and Advocacy Program (P&A). P&As are there to provide legal representation and other forms of advocacy for individuals with disabilities, and to ensure that their personal and civil rights are upheld.
Placing a loved in a long-term care facility can be a difficult decision, but hopefully with these tools in mind you can be more confident that they will receive the care that they need.