Official Site of The State of New Jersey

July 2023

Staffing Webinar: Thank You for Attending & Next Steps

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the residents and family members who participated in our June 20th webinar focused on staffing shortages in the long-term care sector. The event, organized in collaboration with the LTCO, FACE-NJ, and the Department of Health, was a resounding success. Your presence and insightful contributions made it a truly enriching experience for all involved. We firmly believe that this webinar marks just the beginning of an ongoing and open dialogue surrounding long-term care.

If you wish to share your experience of living in a long-term care community, the LTCO Community Engagement team would love to hear from you. Please call 609-690-4740 or email Community@ltco.nj.gov.

Please join the FACE-NJ Facebook group.

And, as always, if you need help with a problem you are having or wish to file a complaint, you can call the LTCO at 1-877-582-6995 or email us at ombudsman@ltco.nj.gov

Residents’ Rights Corner: Involuntary Discharge & Transfers

All nursing home residents have strong rights when it comes to involuntary discharge or transfer.

There are only 6 allowable reasons for nursing homes to move residents out against their will:

• a resident's needs cannot be met there
• a resident is a danger to others
• a resident puts others' health at risk
• a resident's condition improves so that they no longer need nursing home care or
• a resident fails to pay for their care or seek payment (through Medicaid or another payer

In most cases, if the nursing home wants to move you out against your will, they must give 30 days' notice with an allowable reason, a specific address where you will be moved, information to file an appeal, and how to contact the LTCO or Disability Rights NJ for help.

Discharges must also be safe. Nursing homes cannot force people to move into unsafe situations or conditions. Nursing home residents on Medicaid have even stronger protections. A nursing home seeking to move a resident on Medicaid (or in the process of applying for it) must apply to the state for permission to even start the discharge or transfer process.

If you or any resident you know is being forced out of a nursing home, call our office for advocacy: 1-877-582-6995.

Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature

Maintaining a comfortable room temperature can be a challenge during these very hot summer months. Your facility is required to maintain your room at a comfortable temperature. Under state law, the temperature cannot exceed 81 degrees which can happen quickly when air conditioning units break down. In these situations, your facility is required to immediately attempt to repair the air conditioning and must notify the NJ Department of Health. In addition, the facility should, with your consent, utilize fans or move you to a cooler area of the building, when such a breakdown occurs. If you are experiencing extreme discomfort as a result of the heat, contact the NJ Department of Health at 1-800-792-9770 or contact the LTCO at 1-877-582-6995.