07/01/2026
Where to Turn When There are Problems in the Long-Term Care Home.
Part 5
So, your parents have been having issues, and they are finally telling you about them. Often, we find that seniors have difficulty in expressing their discontent to staff for fear of repercussion. The first thing is to assure them that they need to talk, and you will be there to ensure their wellbeing.
As an advocate for your parents, arrange a meeting with the administrator and sometimes the Director of Nursing (often referred to as a Care Plan meeting) and let them know what the issues are. Perhaps they are unaware and will now make a special effort to assist.
Check regularly with your loved one to make sure that improvements have been made as discussed. If they continue to be ignored, you can contact VOICES. If appropriate and desired, an ombudsman could get involved and advocate for the rights of the resident.
There are many rights that a resident has that you may not be aware of and VOICES can help you navigate through those. So often, a resident (or their family) simply relies on the words of the facility staff as the law, when sometimes that is not true. The staff speaking may be unaware of the residents’ rights (which is why you need to talk to the administrator), or may feel they cannot accommodate them. VOICES can help! They can provide you with educational materials and suggestions and be involved to the extent necessary.
For more information on this and other topics, contact VOICES at: 1-812-423-2927 or [email protected]
From someone who has been there,
Cathy
