Central Ohio Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

09/12/2025

October is Residents’ Rights Month! 🌟

Each year, Consumer Voice designates this month to honor individuals living in long-term care facilities, as well as those receiving care at home or in the community. It’s a time to celebrate the dignity, voice, and rights of every person receiving care.

This year’s theme, “Stand with Me,” reminds us of the power of solidarity - supporting residents as they advocate for themselves and encouraging the community to lift up their voices, too.

👉 Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing each of Ohio’s Resident Rights throughout the month of October!

For more information, please visit: https://theconsumervoice.org/

09/11/2025

What is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program?

We advocate for residents in long-term care, such as nursing homes and assisted livings to ensure their rights, safety, and well-being are protected.

If you or a loved one need help, have questions, or want to report a concern, reach out to us anytime. We’re here to listen and support you!

📧 ombudsman@easterseals-cseohio.org | 📞 614-345-9198

09/11/2025

Congratulations!! 🎈🎉

09/10/2025

Volunteers are the heart of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. By donating your time, you can support and empower residents through advocacy and compassionate listening. We have opportunities available in Franklin, Fayette, Fairfield, Madison, Union, Pickaway, Delaware, and Licking counties.

Make a difference—on your schedule.
Learn more at 👉 www.StepUp.Ohio.gov

09/09/2025

‼️‼️

Tomorrow is the big day for our Senior Citizens Hall of Fame! Watch the event live thanks to Ohio Channel starting at 1:30 p.m.

Learn about our 2025 class: https://aging.ohio.gov/classof2025

Watch live: https://www.ohiochannel.org/

09/09/2025

Esther’s Law helps nursing home residents and their families stay informed about care and safety. Knowing how this law works empowers residents to advocate for their rights!

For more information, please visit: https://aging.ohio.gov/care-and-living/ombudsman/residents-rights/esthers-law

Reach out to us at 614-345-9198 or ombudsman@easterseals-cseohio.org

09/05/2025

Your concerns matter! Every facility must have a Grievance Committee to address issues, protect residents’ rights, and make sure problems are resolved quickly.

Reach out to us at 614-345-9198 or ombudsman@easterseals-cseohio.org if you have questions!

09/04/2025

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is looking for compassionate volunteers to advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living communities. Help protect their rights, ensure they’re heard, and bring comfort through your time and care.

We’re welcoming volunteers across Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Union, and Pickaway Counties. Flexible scheduling is available to fit your life—weekends, evenings, or whenever you can give a little time to make a big impact!

Visit www.stepup.ohio.gov for more information!

09/03/2025

🎉 Mark your calendars! 🎉

Join us for the Senior Wellness Jamboree — a day of health, resources, and fun for older adults in our community.

📅 Friday, October 3
⏰ 9 AM – 1 PM
📍 Schiller Park | 1069 Jaeger Street
Register here: bit.ly/3QtQLWa

Come connect with community partners, explore wellness resources, and celebrate healthy aging together. Don’t miss it!

09/03/2025

RELEASE: Congratulations to our outstanding 2025 class for the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame! They will be inducted at a Statehouse ceremony on September 10.

Learn about our hall of famers: https://aging.ohio.gov/classof2025

09/03/2025

Understanding Capacity 🧠
Capacity is a person’s ability to make and communicate informed choices. It isn’t all-or-nothing—it exists on a spectrum and can change over time.

There’s no single test for capacity. Often, the best way to understand someone’s capacity is by learning about their values, preferences, and goals. Asking the right questions and listening carefully can make all the difference.

Capacity is also issue-specific. The ability to make a decision depends on the type of choice being made. Simple daily choices, like what to eat or wear, require minimal memory or reasoning. More complex decisions, like managing finances or healthcare, require higher levels of cognitive skills, including comparison, calculation, and organization.

It’s important to remember that capacity can fluctuate. Health, pain, medication, illness, or injury can temporarily reduce a person’s ability to make decisions, while learning, experience, and support can help it grow. Understanding these factors helps us respect autonomy while providing the support someone needs to make informed decisions.

By recognizing that capacity is a spectrum and supporting people thoughtfully, we can empower them to maintain independence, dignity, and choice in their daily lives.

Competency, on the other hand, is a legal determination made by a court. It is a formal decision about whether someone has the legal authority to make certain decisions. Competency is permanent until legally changed, whereas capacity can vary depending on the situation, the type of decision, and the person’s current state.

09/02/2025

It’s important to be aware of your rights as a resident or family member. Under Section 3721.122 of the Ohio Revised Code, homes are required to follow safety procedures, communicate with residents and their sponsors, and support a secure living environment for everyone. Being informed empowers you to advocate effectively!

Reach us at 614-345-9198 or ombudsman@easterseals-cseohio.org