Long Term Care Ombudsman

“Preparers review draft with management and the finance committee. After any needed modifications, the revised draft is emailed to the entire board for their review. Any corrections, if needed are made and the form 990 is finalized.”

“The organization is covered by the state of ohio long term care ombudsman policy as well as an internal policy to monitor conflict of interest. As a part of such policy, all board members and employees are required to complete an annual questionnaire indicating that they understand the policy and disclose any potential or actual instances of any conflict of interest. Such completed questionnaries are reviewed by management to determine the appropriate course of action, if any is needed.”

“Compensation for the two executive positions (program director and finance and operations manager) is determined as follows: when there is a new hire, the board does a survey of comparable non-profit organizations with comparable positions (including surveying other regional long-term care ombudsman programs), then determines actual compensation within that range, depending on the qualifications and experience of the new hire and ltco's financial capacity. When making annual adjustments of the executive position salaries, the board keeps within the range identified by the comparables survey. Adjustments of salary, particularly raises for the two positions, are determined based on the availability of the organization's finances, cost of living adjustments budgeted for all staff and, most important, performance of the executive staff. The board conducts annual comprehensive reviews of the executive staff to assess performance and to guide salary adjustments.”

“See description in part vi, line 15a”

“Such documents are made available in hard copy upon request to the executive director.”

“As mandated by the federal older americans act and ohio law, the mission of long term care ombudsman program is to seek the resolution of problems and advocate for the rights of the home care consumers and residents of long- term care facilities with the goal of enhancing quality of life and care of consumers. The ombudsman program advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. We do that by working to resolve complaints about services, helping people select a provider, and providing information about benefits and consumer rights.”

“In november 2017 the administration for community living (acl) ruled/decided on a national level that long-term care ombudsman programs cannot act in a transition coordinator capacity with the ohio home choice program (money follows the person). As a result, ltco - 10a ceased home choice transition coordination to comply with the ruling.”

“Ombudsman services: long term care ombudsman (ltco) investigates and attempts to resolve complaints and concerns related to long term care services, informs and connects people to institutional and community-based long term care services, and advocates for better quality long term care. Confidential investigations are handled by certified staff and volunteer ombudsmen and are determined by the consumer's needs and interests. Ombudsmen utilize negotiation, mediation, education, and advocacy to attempt to resolve the concern. Ltco works closely with long term care providers to inform, educate, and encourage the delivery of high quality care that meets their consumer's needs and wishes, and participates in advocacy efforts to promote a better quality of service and quality of life for people receiving long term care services. We believe that by helping one person at a time understand and exercise his or her rights, all people in long term care will benefit.”