The decision to move to assisted living or a long-term care can be daunting. Start by having a conversation about what is important to you, your loved one, and other family who are also caregivers who will be impacted by the decision. Continuing Care Retirement Communities offer a continuum of care from independent living to assisted living to long term care while other facilities specialize in one area such as assisted living, memory care or nursing care. Daily Caring provides a comprehensive list of questions to ask when looking for an assisted living facility.
Once the choice has been made to move to a facility, the Local Long-term Care Ombudsman is available to help persons living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and persons receiving community-based services, assert their rights and express their grievances, regarding the long-term care services they receive.
Here are some links to web sites that may help you in this journey.
The Ombudsman:
- Advocates on behalf of persons living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Investigates and helps resolve complaints regarding long-term care facilities and services.
- Counsels seniors and their families and supporters about financial, social, family, and legal concerns related to long-term care.
- Promotes and asserts the rights of older persons regarding long-term care services.
- Educates and assists to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.
- Works to empower consumers to achieve results in obtaining needed long-term care and to help with referrals to community resources and agencies.
Additional Resources: ElderrightsVA.org
Long Term Care Ombudsman
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