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State Dept. on Aging praises residents and staff of long-term care
facilities in observance of Nursing Home Week
Ombudsman
program protects standard of care to improve residents' quality of
life
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[May
16, 2013]
SPRINGFIELD -- In observance of
National Nursing Home Week, Illinois Department on Aging Director
John K. Holton, Ph.D., praises long-term care advocates and
caregivers. National Nursing Home Week, as promoted by the American
Health Care Association, runs the week after Mother's Day to honor
residents, family members, staff and volunteers who help nursing
home residents. This year's awareness week, which runs through May
18, stresses that residents should feel satisfied and staff should
feel they have contributed in a meaningful way.
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"I commend the families and friends, advocates and facility staff
who make sure residents of long-term care facilities are treated
with dignity, their privacy is respected, and other human rights are
maintained to enhance their quality of life," said Holton. The
Illinois Department on Aging works on behalf of older adults to help
them live independently and remain in their homes and communities,
and also advocates for older adults who require additional support
and have moved into nursing homes. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Program protects and promotes the rights as well as quality of life
for people who reside in nursing homes. Regional ombudsmen have a
hands-on working relationship with nursing home residents and staff
of the facilities.
State Ombudsman Sally Petrone says a nursing home should be a
safe, supportive and caring environment for residents.
"The numbers are growing of older adults who need assistance,"
Petrone said. "Ombudsmen develop relationships with the residents
and often serve as a go-between with family or staff. This
assistance can make a positive difference in their everyday lives."
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 This year's National Nursing Home Week theme is "Team Care,"
which emphasizes the value of care planning, where everyone pitches
in for optimal outcomes. It is an opportunity to involve families,
youth and others in a community to show support and respect for the
individuals living in long-term care facilities and the staff who
provide care and support services.
Find out more about National Nursing Home Week by visiting the
American Health Care Association website at
http://www.ahcancal.org/events/
national_nursing_home_week/Pages/default.aspx.
For more information about program services to assist older
adults in Illinois and their caregivers, including the Long-Term
Care Ombudsman Program, call the IDoA Senior HelpLine at
1-800-252-8966 or TTY 1-888-206-1327, for hearing-impaired use only,
or visit
www.state.il.us/aging.
[Text from
Illinois
Department on Aging file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
