LTC Ombudsman/Red Cross Partnership

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The Residents’ Right, Your Right! Training program involves a partnership between the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) program and the San Bernardino County Chapter of the American Red Cross. One of the many programs administered by San Bernardino County DAAS is that of the LTCO. Ombudsmen are independent, trained and certified advocates for residents living in long-term care facilities. Certified Ombudsmen are authorized by Federal and State law to receive, investigate, and resolve any complaints made on behalf of residents living in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities for the elderly. Ombudsmen work with licensing and other regulatory agencies to support resident rights, and achieve the best possible quality of life for all long-term care residents. Ombudsman services are confidential and free of charge.San Bernardino County DAAS LTCO program began a partnership with the San Bernardino County Chapter of the American Red Cross in fiscal year 2005-2006. As a part of the Red Cross Certified Nurses Aid (CAN) 126-hour training, students are offered an overview of the history of the Ombudsman Program and long—term care in the United States, as well as participation in exercises developed to heighten awareness of nursing home resident’s rights. Through these exercises, students are given an opportunity to learn the value of resident rights, while personalizing the effect of loss of ability, and status that the dependency of residing in a long-term facility inevitably builds.