CALA News & Views | Issue 46 | Relationships

The 2022 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine entitled The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Homes Quality: Honoring Commitment to Residents, Families and Staff provides national and state policy makers with excellent recommendations that will require more “funding, organizational commitment, education, and changing health policy – it will require moral courage. Improving the quality of care in long-term care facilities for the decades ahead will require research to strengthen our knowledge of the best care, test models to deliver that care, and investment in the education, and training of all those who work in long-term care settings.” Communication, communication, communication. The pandemic showed us how important simple, linguistically and culturally relevant information is to ensure older adults were informed about how to stay safe, get vaccinated, and infection control practices. Communication from the admissions process, not only what services and supports the resident will receive in the facility, but provide information about who residents may contact if they have questions or concerns about their care. How can senior living providers help Ombudsmen face these challenges?

Long-term care Ombudsman representatives focus on the wishes of the resident. However, they also need to communicate effectively with staff, administrators, and health providers as part of their advocacy role. Providers should invite LTC Ombudsmen to provide presentations to their staff, and other groups the Providers believe would benefit from understanding the role of the LTC Ombudsman.

We need to come to a solution in California

that will provide middle-income

individuals to be able to afford paying for long-term services and supports wherever they may need them.

I encourage Providers to provide for the space and time for residents or family councils to meet in their facilities. Resident and family councils are an excellent way to develop two-way communication channels between staff and residents to provide an open, safe, and inclusive living environment. These councils don’t just serve as a way to identify any trends or issues that residents want to raise with the facility staff and administrators, these are also excellent forums for Providers to share information with residents and families on changes to any policies, laws or programs that may impact the residents.

Blanca Castro was named as State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the California Department of Aging in December of 2021. Her career encompasses service at the California Department of Social Services, in the private sector coordinating with the Department of Health Care Services, and as an advocate for AARP California.

CALA NEWS & VIEWS I ISSUE 46 | APRIL 2023

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www.CAassistedliving.org

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