Andy Heger writes about guiding seniors (and their families) through the long-term care process. He begins:

The reality of a senior individual’s move to a long-term care facility is usually difficult to accept not only for the future resident but for his or her family as well. Planning for this move can be a long, emotional journey requiring great attention to detail. The extraordinary number of senior living options combined with a constant concern for one’s well-being makes long-term care an overwhelming prospect for all parties involved.

The good news is that long-term care has evolved significantly since the passage of Medicaid/Medicare in 1965. At that time, several facilities opened with very little regulation, and abuses in long-term care were frequently reported. To address these serious problems, federally funded long-term care ombudsman programs were created in 1972 to advocate on behalf of long-term care residents and to identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of long-term care residents.

The mission of long-term care ombudsman programs like the Harris County (Texas) Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing is not only to guide seniors and families throughout the process of finding the right living situation but also to work with residents, families and facility staff to improve the quality of life for residents in long-term care. http://www.uthealthleader.org/index/...5-dab1ef7f8c92

Heger has a bunch of useful information. He concludes:

Long-term care residents have the right to be treated with dignity, respect and courtesy. If you have any questions about long-term care, the rights of long-term care residents, or have a problem with your current long-term care facility, contact your state or local ombudsman representative.

My Mom is in a care facility. The article may help me help Mom with some issues she is facing.