Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Even Advocates For Nursing Home Residents Can't Visit Nursing Homes Right Now
A sign outside of the Kingsley Manor Retirement Community notes that visitors are not allowed unless medically necessary. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
As health authorities struggle to contain COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes, even official patient advocates can't visit homes in person.
Los Angeles County's Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, a publicly funded entity that investigates complaints about the treatment of residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, is barred from doing site visits under federal guidelines (there’s an exception for end-of-life care.)
"I think this is a time, more than ever, our residents need us," said Molly Davies, who administers L.A. County’s program, which has five offices throughout the county and oversees 2,000 facilities.
Davies said they are still conducting investigations — over the phone. "We can do a lot from the office but we can't do everything," she said.
Support for LAist comes from
Nursing home ombudsman programs across the country are under the same constraints.
The ombudsman's office covers a wide range of services, including investigating complaints of abuse and handling medical and legal problems. Often, they are the first agency to hear from residents and loved ones and can act as an intermediary between them and the facility.
The California Department of Public Health, which licenses and regulates nursing homes, has also suspended its routine inspections. But they are entering nursing homes across the state to help with infection control.
As of today, 800 deaths among L.A. County nursing home residents and staff have been attributed to COVID-19, nearly half of all virus-related deaths in the county.
An aggressive response against the coronavirus may protect residents from getting infected but Davies said she has concerns over isolated residents' mental health and safety.
A 24/7 statewide ombudsman crisis line is available to receive complaints from residents in long-term care facilities: 1-800-231-4024.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist