Ombudsman

Calcasieu Council on Aging Ombudsman Program

The Calcasieu Council on Aging Ombudsman program serves long-term care facilities in six parishes (Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, Jeff Davis and Vernon). These facilities include nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

What Is an Ombudsman?

It is a Swedish word that means "citizen representative". An ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
A problem solver, mediator, helper, resource and educator.

Who Are Ombudsmen?

Ombudsmen are both paid and volunteer staff who are interested in quality of life and care for nursing home residents. Ombudsmen are skilled in working with people and are trained to be alert to the needs of nursing home residents.

What Do Ombudsmen Do?

Visits long-term care facities on a regular basis
Investigates concerns and works to resolve issues in facilities
Provides long-term care information to interested individuals
Attends resident and family council meetings

What kind of concerns can an ombudsman help with?

Involuntary Transfer/Discharge
Requests fo assistance
Lost property
Being treated with dignity and respect
Respect for personal privacy
Exercising personal preferences

Volunteer Ombudsmen Are Needed!

Volunteer Ombudsmen are needed to work two hours each week. Training for this work includes:

Residents' rights;
Problem-solving skills;
Aspects of aging;
Laws affecting nursing homes.

Ombudsmen will get:

An opportunity to get to know nursing home residents in their community;
A sense of satisfaction from helping someone else;
Practical knowledge and experience.

Nursing Home Residents' Rights

These rights are required by state law and state and federal regulations.

Health Care

To receive adequate and appropriate health care and protective and support services
To be free of physical restraints not documented as medically necessary
With certain limits, to have your choice of pharmacy and physician
To withhold payment for physician visitation if the physician did not examine you
To be transferred or discharged only after reasonable notice is given and only for medical reasons, the welfare of other residents, or for non-payment
To be protected from transfer or discharge from a Title XIX certified facility solely because the source of payment for care changes

Individual Liberties

To exercise your civil and religious liberties
To exercise your rights as a resident and a citizen
To complain and make suggestions without fear of coercion or retaliation
To be treated courteously, fairly and with the fullest measure of dignity
To be free of mental and physical abuse
To take part in various activities of the nursing home
To be free not to perform work
To choose a roommate, whenever possible
To have your own clothing and possessions
To manage your personal affairs, or if this is delegated to the facility, to receive an accounting report every three months upon request
To retire and rise in accordance with reasonable requests
Unless medically contraindicated, to consume a reasonable amount of alcoholic beverages
To use tobacco in accordance with applicable policies, rules and law
To have ample opportunity to visit with family and friends

Information

To be informed of your rights, the rules and regulations of the nursing home
To receive prompt response to all reasonable requests and inquiries
To have any significant change in your health status reported to you
To be informed of your condition and planned medical treatment, and to participate in or refuse that treatment
To be informed of the bed reservation policy for hospitalization
To be told of all services available and all costs, including charges covered or not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the basic per diem rate

Privacy

To be treated with consideration and respect for your personal privacy
To receive private mail
To receive visitors in privacy
To have your personal and medical records treated confidential
To refuse to serve as a medical research subject

Contact Ombudsman

Calcasieu Council On Aging Ombudsman Program

Charles Campbell, Ombudsman Director

3950 Hwy 14, Lake Charles, LA 70607
Monday - Friday 8:00AM to 3:30PM
Phone: (337) 474-2583 ext. 1059 or 1-800-223-5872
Fax: (337) 474-6563

Email: ccampbell@calcoa.org

Contact Us:

Main Office:

3950 Highway 14
Lake Charles, LA 70607

Or, you can call us at:

Telephone: 337-474-2583 / 1-800-223-5872
Fax: 337-474-6563

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Reaching out to the those we've loved the longest