ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTS IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES By: Kimberly Walker, LCE Long Term Care Ombudsman Specialist

Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s (LCE) Office of the DC Long Term Care Ombudsman is a strong advocate and resource for residents of the District’s nursing homes, assisted living residences, and Mental Health Community Facilities, as well as persons receiving in-home services under the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Medicaid Waiver.

The Ombudsman Program is authorized under the federal Older Americans Act 1965, Title VII, which requires each state to have an Ombudsman program and guarantees ombudsmen access to all long-term care facilities, residents, and their personal records without interference. Ombudsmen investigate and work to resolve complaints, and also connect older adults and persons with disabilities to community resources with a central goal that all residents in long-term care facilities receive quality care and have the right to a quality of life. Ombudsmen advocate strongly for residents’ rights and encourage residents to be self-advocates, since we know that having the ability to use your OWN voice is enormously empowering.

One focus of LCE’s Ombudsman work is care for residents who reside in Mental Health Community Residence Facilities (MHCRFs), who often are stigmatized, and thought to be incapable of speaking up for themselves. Across approximately 90 MHCRFs, ombudsmen monitor services to approximately 600 individuals with complex mental health needs. We serve vulnerable adults who have consistent challenges with the following diagnosis:

·?????? Schizophrenia

·?????? Post-traumatic stress disorders

·?????? Bipolar disorders, depression

·?????? Anxiety/panic disorders, paranoia

·?????? Traumatic brain injuries

·?????? Obsessive disorders, dissociative disorders

·?????? Emotional disorders, and more.

We take our role as Long Term Care Ombudsman Specialists seriously, as we serve persons who have triggers and traumas and who have dealt with unexpected tragedy in their lives. We approach each resident and situation with care, consideration, and caution. We understand that each day is different, and the service should be person-centered and inclusive of the resident, the resident’s family, and their support team. Through proper planning, treatment, and consistency in care, residents can be productive and successful in their communities.

However, the constant challenges of system service gaps, lack of staff training, lack of staff, and lack of resources means not all individuals receive the care and support they need. These challenges can create an unstable and inconsistent environment for the Individual. The effects can be life threatening and unsafe for the resident, the direct care staff, and the community. Individuals may not be receiving prescribed medications in a timely manner, not making it to medical appointments because of transportation issues, and not receiving day-to-day care according to their treatment plans. This makes for a crisis that may result in residents being illegally discharged, homeless, hospitalized, incarcerated, or physically harmed. This crisis will not end unless there is accountability for the lack of services and resources for persons with mental health diagnosis.

LCE’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has coordinated forums and educational sessions to bring awareness to the community of mental health and the importance of quality of care, care coordination, and continuity of care for persons in long term care facilities. Our goal is to help ensure the residents’ overall health, safety and rights are at the front of the discussion. We promote self-advocacy, person-centered planning to ensure residents participate in decision making for their own lives and are given the opportunity to make choices. We maintain community involvement by conducting unannounced monitoring visits to facilities, trainings, and outreach to residents in long-term care settings. We collaborate with the residents, the residents’ families, case managers, guardians, and governing agencies to resolve complaints. We serve as a resource for information, and a community contact for the purpose of helping empower residents to have a say in their care. We understand that mental health is not just a local concern but a community-wide issue that requires ongoing advocacy.

If you know a person who resides in the District of Columbia and needs help with connecting to long-term care services or mental health resources, please have them contact LCE’s Office of the DC Long Term Care Ombudsman confidential Helpline at 202.434.2190.?

Persons may also contact: DC Department of Behavioral Health 24-hour access Help Line at 1-888-796-4357; and the 24-hour Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program ("CPEP") on the grounds of DC General Hospital Compound Building 14, 1905 E Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 673-9319 or dial 988 to reach the nationwide crisis lifeline.?