Ohio Department of Aging

• Older Ohioans & Families
• Providers & Professionals
• Advocacy & Legislation

• Home
• Info Center
• About Us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2007

Arlena Allgood, Ashtabula, Receives Excellent Advocate Award
Long-term Care Ombudsman Recognizes Role She Plays in Linking Systems

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman today presented its Excellent Advocate Award to Arlena Allgood of the Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services. As that agency's nursing home supervisor, Allgood assists consumers and the regional ombudsman program in determining Medicaid eligibility and explaining the many nuances of the often-complicated state and federal medical assistance program for low-income individuals.

"Arlena's willingness to help, coupled with her unique ability to explain the complex workings of Medicaid, both to professionals in the aging network as well as to consumers, has created a valuable two-way link between the Medicaid system and the long-term care ombudsman," said Beverley Laubert, the State Long-term Care Ombudsman. "Just as we turn to her to answer the questions consumers bring to us, she is keenly able to recognize when a client of hers can benefit from the ombudsman program. Her vast knowledge of the Medicaid system comes from 29 years of dedicated service to the people of Ashtabula County, and the rest of the state could learn a lot from her."

Ohio's Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman, housed within the Ohio Department of Aging, works with consumers, service providers and other state and county agencies to resolve complaints about services, helps people select service providers, and offers information about benefits and consumer rights. The state office oversees twelve Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman programs and coordinates a network of trained volunteers who visit residents in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities and report any issues to the regional and state ombudsmen.

The Office of the Long-term Care Ombudsman created the Excellent Advocate Award in 2005 to recognize individuals and organizations who significantly aid the ombudsman's mission to advocate for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. The award is given twice annually to nominees that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Advocacy, service or other action that benefits long-term care consumers (e.g., systemic or legislative change, quality improvement, widespread outreach);
• Significant process improvement that increases efficiency or improves use of resources, or work that results in increased resources for the Ombudsman program;
• Remarkable character demonstrated in protecting the rights of long-term care consumers; or
• Outstanding acts of service or other accomplishments.

Nominations are accepted year-round and are reviewed each March and September. For more information, to request a nomination form or to learn more about the ombudsman program and how you can get involved, call toll-free 1-800-282-1206.

Long-term Care Ombudsman Information...

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.