Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Nursing Home Abuse

Amendments to the Older American Act require States to establish long-term care (LTC) ombudsmen programs to investigate and resolve nursing home complaints. State ombudsman programs allow residents of LTC facilities, their families, and friends to voice concerns and correct conditions affecting the quality of their care. The program also promotes policies and practices to improve the quality of life in adult care facilities. Suspected cases of elder abuse that involve an older person living in an institutional setting should be reported to the local LTC ombudsman.

Responsibilities of LTC ombudsmen include:

• Identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents.
• Provide information to residents about LTC services.
• Represent the residents' interests before Governmental agencies and seek administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect residents.
• Analyze, comment on, and recommend changes in laws and regulations pertaining to the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents.
• Educate and inform consumers and the general public and facilitate public comment on laws, regulations, policies, and actions.
• Promote the development of citizen organizations to participate in the program.
• Provide technical support for the development of resident and family councils to protect the well-being and rights of residents.
• Advocate for changes to improve residents' quality of life and care.

Residents have the following rights:ref

• Treatment that is courteous and respectful
• Freedom from chemical and physical restraints
• Control of their own finances
• Ability to voice grievances without fear of retaliation
• Freedom to communicate privately with any person of their choice
• Freedom to send and receive personal mail
• Confidentiality of personal and medical records
• Nondiscriminatory acceptance for State and Federal assistance
• Full disclosure before admission of their rights, services available, and all charges
• Advanced notice of transfer or discharge

For more information, see the LTC Ombudsman Program.

Other resources include:

• National LTC Ombudsman Resource Center -- provides training and assistance to ombudsmen

• Directory of State LTC Ombudsmen -- directory of ombudsmen at the local level