As the family member of a nursing home resident in New York, you may feel as if you are the only one making sure your loved one is receiving the proper level of care. We at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny understand that this can be a heavy burden, particularly if you have other responsibilities that also require your time.
The New York Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman wants residents, family members and staff to know they have a representative who is also working to ensure that no one in the facility is in danger of personal injury or lost quality of life. One of the purposes of this authority, called an ombudsman, is to educate you in the resources that can help preserve your family member’s dignity and safety. Some resources are posted in a public area of the nursing home.
One important document you may want to review is the report that the NY Department of Health issues after its survey and inspection. This will tell you if there were any areas where the nursing home did not meet the minimum standards in nutrition, care, health care and administration, as well as protecting resident rights and maintaining a safe environment. You can also check posted documents to make sure that there are adequate staff on duty in the facility for the day.
Any time you see a problem in the nursing home, you should let your ombudsman know. He or she is authorized by the state to investigate and work to correct the issue. Complaints are anonymous to eliminate the potential for retaliation against residents or staff. More information about nursing home resident rights is available on our webpage.