Ombudsman program brings awareness of disabled adults

One of the primary responsibilities of the Long-term Care Ombudsman program is to bring awareness to people about the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults which includes long-term care residents, the elderly and disabled adults.

"Our goal is to not only stop abuse and neglect that is happening now but also to help prevent it in the future," said Scott Harding, ombudsman program supervisor. "June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. And while our efforts continue every day, we want to observe this day by being more aware of elder abuse, educating ourselves on the causes and effects and resolving to do more now and in the future to protect some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society."

Elder abuse takes many forms, including physical, sexual, verbal and psychological. In the State of Oklahoma, abuse is defined as causing or allowing infliction of physical pain, injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unreasonable restraint or confinement or mental anguish. It also includes depriving vulnerable adults of nutrition, clothing, shelter, health care or other services that can cause serious harm.

"While many people might consider physical and sexual abuse the most serious types of abuse, verbal and psychological are more prevalent and can often cause harm just as serious, and sometimes more so," said Harding.

Verbal abuse is defined as the use of words, sounds, gestures, actions, behaviors or other communication by a person responsible for providing services to a vulnerable adult that is likely to cause a reasonable person to experience humiliation, intimidation, fear, shame or degradation. While the outward signs of physical abuse may eventually heal, the scars and effects of verbal and psychological abuse may never fully heal, said Harding.

Another common form of abuse is financial exploitation which is defined as the improper use of a vulnerable adult’s financial, real or personal resources for the benefit of another person.

It is estimated that one in 10 older Americans is the victim of abuse and much of that abuse goes unreported. The various types of abuse can occur in the home, community and in long-term care facilities.

"The victims can be our loved ones, neighbors and friends. Often, the abusers are someone the victim knows well and may be their own family," said Harding.

Signs of abuse may include: unexplained injuries; drastic and sudden changes in behavior; unexplained weight loss; withdrawal from normal activities; fearfulness; depression; and more.

"Whether an advocate, loved one or just concerned citizen, everyone has a role to play in stopping and preventing elder abuse," said Harding. "If you observe or suspect abuse, report the abuse to Adult Protective Services and local law enforcement. Depending on the situation, the victim may need your care and support through such a difficult situation. If you have friends and family who are elderly or may be considered vulnerable, keep in touch with them and raise your awareness of any signs of abuse or neglect."

The APS Hotline is 800-522-3511. To find a local long-term care ombudsman, contact Scott Harding or Gina Elliott at the Area Agency on Aging, 918-682-7891. The state long-term care ombudsman office can be reached at 405-521-6734.

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Ombudsman program brings awareness of disabled adults

Ombudsman program gives protection to vulnerable adults

Residents of nursing facilities, long-term care facilities and residential homes for the aged have rights, but a question arises of whom to contact when residents or their families feel those rights have been violated.

Thomas Kahler, long-term care ombudsman with East Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA), will discuss issues surrounding this topic at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at Everett Senior Center in Maryville as well as other information, such as help provided with Medicare/Tenncare, admissions, medications, abuse, transfers, privacy, food, care, discharge and activities. The program is hosted by Blount County ElderWatch.

Kahler, who was named District 2 long-term care ombudsman July 1, 2017, said, “I am an advocate for residents and residents’ rights in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and residential homes for the aged – licensed care facilities – in 16 counties. There are 128 of them in the 16 counties.”

These 128 facilities house more than 11,000 residents. An average of 100 or more complaints, concerns or consultations are received per month. These are discovered directly from visits to the facilities, calls from a concerned resident, family member or other responsible party, or from individuals reporting anonymously through various organizations.

Human dignity

“Primarily, I work to identify issues or complaints that residents may have,” Kahler said. “I investigate and work to resolve those complaints with the resident, with their consent, to approach the facility, the staff, and work through problems, or if the resident needs me to be their advocate, I will speak for them directly. My objective is to ensure they have the highest quality of care, which I feel equates into a quality of life and just basic human dignity.”

His duties also include acting on behalf of residents to ensure their stay is as pleasant and home-like as possible and providing assistance to family and resident councils to enable them to advocate for change.

With such a large district to serve, Kahler is charged with recruiting, training and certifying volunteer ombudsmen. “These are people in the community who have an interest in serving as a volunteer at local nursing facilities. The benefit of that is that they can spend a little more time in a facility than I can physically manage,” he said.

Kahler also works with other agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services, Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and law enforcement to ensure that residents are protected and receive the best possible care.

Cases

Kahler’s presentation will include a wealth of information about the ombudsman program, how it arose, who is eligible to receive the services, details of services offered and upcoming legislation to address the needs of older Americans. He will also speak about elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, what these may entail, how to recognize red flags and how to prevent your loved one from becoming a victim.

“Tennessee is a mandatory reporting state,” he said. “Both males and females are affected — there is no one typical victim. It can affect anyone in a long-term care facility. It can seem somewhat benign or it can be very egregious.”

Kahler gave examples of some of the issues he has helped residents resolve, from severe cases of abuse and neglect to making sure they are bathed regularly, receive assistance in eating, and are free of restraints, both physical and chemical. In one case, he was able to speak with staff and administrators at a facility and work out a solution for a resident whose room was at the end of a hall, who told him her food was delivered last and was always cold.

“It’s always something different,” he said.

If a resident or someone concerned with the resident’s welfare has a question or sees a problem, Kahler urges them to contact him. “I will work to resolve issues in the best way we can,” he said.

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Ombudsman program gives protection to vulnerable adults