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When a closure or downsizing occurs the regional ombudsman program is called upon to play a crucial role, helping residents and families understand their rights and choices and ensuring that the quality and continuity of resident care is provided throughout the relocation process. This concentrated and intensive work places an addition strain on the program’s limited resources to effectively conduct the daily work of complaint investigations and technical assistance. To respond to this growing demand for ombudsman services, brought about by nursing facility closures, the Wisconsin State Ombudsman submitted a proposal to the Department of Health and Family Services seeking Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) funds to hire a full-time staff person to serve as a relocation ombudsman. The proposal was accepted and program received funding for three years, beginning in 2006. The Relocation Ombudsman serves as a statewide advocate for residents during the closure and relocation process. In addition to providing information and technical assistance, the Relocation Ombudsman leads resident and family meetings, addresses the concerns of individual residents, coordinates with regional ombudsman program staff and members of the relocation team and monitors and identifies problems with the closure and relocation process. In April 2007, NASUA convened a nationwide conference call featuring Tom LaDuke, Relocation Ombudsman Specialist with the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Mr. LaDuke described his responsibilities as a relocation specialist, how the program coordinates with other agencies and some of the challenges encountered in nursing facility closures and relocation. The funding proposal and Relocation Ombudsman position description are including below. Protecting the Rights of Consumers as Nursing Homes Close: A Funding Proposal
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Since 1999, more than 90 nursing homes in Wisconsin have closed parts or all of their facilities. A continued reduction of nursing facility beds is anticipated as a restructuring of the long-term care delivery system, in concert with enhanced Medicaid Waiver programs provide increased opportunities for persons to receive services in their homes, thus diverting or delaying nursing home placement. 