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Fri, Aug 08 2008 

Published: March 25, 2008 02:29 pm    print this story   email this story  

Reconsider change in ombudsman program

My name is Steve Schultz. I am a resident of Life Care Center of Morehead. I serve my fellow residents as Vice President of the Resident Council. I became a resident two years ago after a near fatal gastric bleed left me unable to live independently. I’m 54 years old and confined to a power wheelchair. The caring people here have brought me to the point of continuing my life with a minimum of assistance. I have been blessed with the ability to think clearly and speak for myself when I need to. Something, I’ve discovered, many of the residents here cannot do.

When I heard of the Gateway Area Board of Directors plan not to renew the contract of the local Ombudsman program, but to bring it “in house,” I was both sickened and angry. My research showed me that before giving the running of the program over in 1995, the number of complaints handled in the 3 years previous ranged from 18 to 20 a year! I know this idea sounds like it will save money but, who’s kidding who?

My fellow residents and I are a part of humanity that is easy to forget. Visitors are few and far between. We are the forgotten people. The Board can try to save money and no one would be the wiser and they might even look good for doing it. I don’t want a service that is very important to me mangled and turned into a tool of politicians. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass has no axe to grind. The program run by them has handled hundreds of complaints and according to the State Ombudsman, the program is “exemplary.”

I use the local Ombudsman as an advisor on how to better serve my fellow residents who can’t speak up for themselves. Cheryl Barber not only cares about us but she has a network of contacts that make her an invaluable asset to me, my fellow residents and everyone else she serves within her district. She has been here as late as 9:00 at night, looking out for us. It is not always comfortable for us to talk to the people in charge of the nursing home. She is a go-between that administrators take seriously. We can take problems to her that, because of human nature, are difficult to confront directly.

So what is the point of this letter? I have requested the Gateway Board of Directors re-consider the termination of the contract with Legal Aid of the Bluegrass. I feel that a well-run Ombudsman Program that has their endorsement can make them look better than attempting to “save” money.

Steve Schultz
933 North Tolliver Rd.

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