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New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman

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Resident Newsletters

Beacon Newsletter

September 2022

Get Boosted!

On July 28th, the New Jersey Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) and FACE NJ (Family Advocates for Caregiver Experience) hosted a webinar with Dr. Meg Fisher from the Department of Health. Dr. Fisher spoke generally about COVID-19 and available treatments, as well as COVID-19 trends in long-term care (LTC). She reiterated how important it is for people in long-term care facilities, as well as their families, to take every COVID-19 booster vaccine when they become eligible because it is still the best protection against serious illness and death. She stressed that LTC residents should not forgo available vaccines to wait for "new" vaccines that may be available in the future. In addition, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Laurie Facciarossa Brewer stressed that residents who are up-to-date on their vaccines are less likely to have to quarantine when exposed to COVID-19. Department of Health staff repeated that in-person indoor visitation is allowed, even for residents who are COVID-19 positive, and that socialization and activities should occur whenever possible. If you feel your facility is restricting visitation or socializing in an improper way, please call our office at 1-877-582-6995.

Resident Rights Corner

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 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

Couple Transfer Together: "We are a team."

In early June 2022, Diane knew that she needed to leave the nursing home where she was living because it was slated to close. She was met by her care manager from her insurance company to confirm that she wanted to leave. Diane stated, "Yes I do, but I am not going without David." David, her boyfriend and fellow nursing home resident, was close behind and said firmly, "We stay together. We are a team."

David had a different care manager who was looking into options for him. But with guidance and encouragement from Ombudsman staff, Diane and David's care managers worked together closely to move Diane and David to the same skilled nursing facility in a county where they wanted to live.

When asked what it was like when they first met Diane said, "David had me at 'Hi!'. He is the most cheerful, supportive person I have ever met and I love him so much." In response, David wrapped his arms around Diane and said, "I am grateful for you every day."

They are living happily together in their new nursing home but looking into moving back into the community with the assistance of the I Choose Home NJ program (ICHNJ). ICHNJ is a partnership between the NJ Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the NJ Department of Human Services. ICHNJ staff work with eligible nursing home residents to help them move back into the community with the services and supports they need.

If you ever need assistance to move out of your nursing home or have concerns about the quality of your care, you can call 1-877-582-6995.


Last Updated: Wednesday, 08/31/22