rank-math domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bryantelderlaw/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114rank-math-pro domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bryantelderlaw/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114rocket domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bryantelderlaw/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114You or someone you know has likely lived in a skilled nursing facility<\/a> or other long-term care facility. A resident is in a long-term care facility typically due to a hospital stay from a serious medical event, or even just from a gradual decline in health and an increase in care needs. Residents of these facilities are often in a very vulnerable position due to their health.<\/p>\n Families and friends are often wonderful advocates for their loved ones and ensure that their needs are being met. To ensure residents are further protected, each long-term care facility is assigned an ombudsman. A long-term care ombudsman serves as a champion for residents\u2019 rights. They often advocate for issues related to the day-to-day needs of residents including, but not limited to:<\/p>\n An ombudsman will ultimately follow the expressed wishes of residents or, in cases where residents do not have the ability to communicate their choices, the expressed wishes of their representative (e.g.<\/em>\u00a0power of attorney). They often also serve as mediator between opposing views of the resident\u2019s family, friends, or providers.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that while nearly 80% of California\u2019s state-certified ombudsman representatives are volunteers, they receive extensive training including a supervised internship and twelve additional hours of ongoing education every year.<\/p>\n Due to the coronavirus, new restrictions on visitation intended to protect long-term care residents have impacted the ability of families and friends to stand up for their loved ones since they may not be able to physically check on them. If you feel that the skilled nursing facility that your loved one resides at is not making reasonable efforts to allow you to stay in communication with your loved one, or allow you to receive updates about their condition, the ombudsman is still available to help. The name and contact information of the facility ombudsman should be displayed in public areas in the facility, but the ombudsman can also be located at the State of California, Department of Aging\u2019s website, by phone at 1-800-510-2020, or though the Statewide CRISIS line number at 1-800-231-4024.<\/p>\n\n