Ohio Department of Aging
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2006
COLUMBUS - Governor Bob Taft has proclaimed December 24-30, 2006, "Visit a Nursing Home Week" to encourage Ohioans to share their time and attention with the staff and residents of nursing homes throughout the state. The Ohio Department of Aging asks all Ohioans to visit a local nursing home this holiday season and encourages nursing homes throughout the state to plan special events during the week to encourage and welcome visitors.
"An estimated 80,000 Ohioans live in nearly 1,000 nursing homes statewide," said Governor Taft. "These facilities are an integral part of our long-term care system and I would like all Ohioans to notice first-hand the range and quality of care that homes provide." In addition to bringing valuable social interaction, visitors can also help recognize and support quality care.
"Visitors can do much more than just visit," said Merle Grace Kearns, Director of the department. "By talking to residents, family members and staff, they can facilitate communication and help improve the quality of care residents receive."
The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, housed within the Department of Aging, works with nursing homes and consumers to achieve and maintain a high standard of care. Ombudsman staff and volunteers make regular visits to nursing homes to identify potential problems and areas of improvement and to encourage residents to expect excellence. All Ohioans may call the Office of the Long-term Care Ombudsman toll-free at 1-800-282-1206 to report any problems they see in a nursing home or with any long-term care provider, to become an ombudsman volunteer or to receive more information on resident rights and nursing home quality.
Nursing homes in Ohio are constantly working to improve the quality of care they provide. A new national campaign, Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes, is a voluntary effort to promote quality improvement and acknowledge the critical role nursing home employees have in providing care. "When you visit a friend or family member, ask the management what they are doing to participate and what goals they are setting," encourages Beverley Laubert, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Staff, residents and their families are encouraged to logon to www.nhqualitycampaign.org to get involved.
View the Governor's Proclamation…
About ODA
The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.
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Ohio Department of Aging