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What's Your Question About Nursing Homes?
By Sherry Culp - January, 2012
Question
I visited my cousin at the nursing home during Thanksgiving and noticed that she was not wearing her glasses. When I asked her about her glasses she said she couldn’t find them. We looked everywhere in her room and finally found them. They were broken. Is there someone who can help her get new glasses?
Answer
The facility is obligated to provide medically-related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident. The director of social services at the facility can help your cousin get what she needs. Talk directly to the social services director or notify the ombudsman. The ombudsman will be sure to address the concern and follow up on the matter to ensure that your cousin is satisfied.
Question
I visited my mother at her nursing home over the holidays and couldn’t find any nurses. By law how many nurses must a facility have on duty at any one time?
Answer
I wish I could give you a number that was meaningful. Federal and state laws require that a facility have one professional nurse on duty one shift a day seven days a week. As for the rest, the law just requires that the facility have enough staff to take care of the needs of the residents. It is important to document in writing every time you believe there is not enough staff to meet the needs of the resident. Keep a notebook and document the date, time, what happened (for example, call light not answered), how the need was not met (urinated on self), name of staff member you talked to about the problem and his or her response. Talk to the facility administrator about each instance because staffing problems can lead quickly to serious consequences for frail residents. If you are uncomfortable talking with the administrative staff or do not see improvements in staffing after you do, please contact your ombudsman. We want to help you solve problems. Now is also a good time of year to contact your legislators about staffing problems and how short staffing impacts residents’ quality of care and quality of life.
Question
Does the nursing home have to supply adaptive telephone equipment for residents who are hard of hearing or hearing impaired?
Answer
Yes, residents have the right to “reasonable access” of the use of a telephone where calls can be made without being overheard. “Reasonable access” includes telephones at a height accessible to residents who use wheelchairs and adapting telephones for use by the residents with impaired hearing. If the resident has a personal phone in their room he or she may be eligible for certain equipment. Contact the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for more information (800) 372-2907 (V/T) or www.kcdhh.ky.gov.
Question
My friend enjoys sending cards but she has a hard time remembering dates. How can I help her?
Answer
How thoughtful of you! Why not give her a large print calendar and help her fill in those special dates. You could buy a box of all occasion cards and include a book of stamps. You could even address and stamp some cards for her.
This column is presented as a public service of the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass. If you have a question, send it to:
Sherry Culp
Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency
1530 Nicholasville Rd.
Lexington, KY, 40503