who, with no help, might have to be cared for
in a nursing home. To qualify, one must have a
low income based on federal poverty guidelines,
have low resources, and meet certain standards of
medical need established by Medicaid. The services,
paid for by Medicaid, are: homemaker services,
personal care, respite care, case management, adult
day health care, companion services and homedelivered
meals.
Assisted Living Facilities provide
residential housing, personalized supportive services
and health care. Residential settings maximize
independence, but do not provide skilled nursing
care. Assisted Living offers many independent and
group activities as well as assistance with personal care.
It is designed to meet the individual needs of those
requiring help with activities of daily living, but who
do not need the skilled medical care provided in a
nursing home.
Specialty Care Assisted Living
Facilities meet the regulations for assisted living
facilities, but are specially licensed and staffed for the
care of residents with cognitive impairment, which
would ordinarily make the individual ineligible for
admission or for continued stay in an assisted living
facility. Although many assisted living facilities and
nursing homes cater to individuals with Alzheimer’s
disease and other related memory disorders or
dementia, there is a growing trend towards facilities
that provide specialized care and housing tailored to
the special needs of those individuals with Alzheimer’s.
These facilities offer care that fosters residents’
individual skills and interests in an environment that
helps to diminish confusion and agitation.
Nursing Homes are nursing facilities which
provide 24-hour-per-day skilled nursing care to
those who are chronically ill or injured, have health
care needs as well as personal needs, and are unable
to function independently. Nursing Homes provide a
higher level of care and services and incur a high level
of oversight by the government.
64 Senior Resource Directory 2020-2021
The Long-Term Care
Ombudsman program
Ombudsman is a Swedish term for a person who acts
as an impartial third party in mediating problems. In
short, an Ombudsman is a go-between.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is available to assist
residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities
with their complaints. The Ombudsman thoroughly
investigates and attempts to resolve complaints received.
All complaints are kept confidential and information is
disclosed only under the direction of the person being
assisted. The Ombudsman is trained and certified by the
Alabama Department of Senior Services according to
standards set out in the Alabama Long-Term Residential
Health Care Recipient Ombudsman Act.
The Ombudsman works with interested citizens,
providers of long-term care, and other professional
groups to promote the well-being and quality of life
for residents of long-term care facilities. This program
is a part of Alabama’s continuing effort to improve
conditions for and services to the elderly.
Ombudsman services are available
to:
• Residents in long-term care facilities who have
questions or problems about care, resident rights,
Medicaid or Medicare payments or benefits and
entitlements
• Relatives or friends of a resident in a long-term
care facility who have questions or wish to discuss
problems
• Long-term care facilities who need assistance with
a resident, their care or benefits, or with a problem
associated with a resident’s continued stay at the
facility
An Ombudsman can assist residents
by:
• Providing information about long-term care options
• Providing education about resident rights
• Investigating complaints concerning residents
• Making suggestions to family members and longterm
care facilities about ways to improve quality of
life for residents