World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a reminder to strengthen elder protection
With a reported one in 10 older adults experiencing abuse (according to the National Center on Elder Abuse), and with Tennessee's older population growing faster than any other population in the state, there's no room for slacking on our efforts to get ahead of the need for greater support for those working to combat elder abuse. This year, we must shine that light on the public servants working daily to stop elder abuse in Tennessee's nursing homes and assisted living facilities: Long-Term Care Ombudsmen.
Tennessee is home to a small but mighty team of around 18 staff and 50 volunteer ombudsmen at the local level who consistently visit almost 700 long-term care facilities to advocate for residents. As independent, resident-directed advocates, much of their time is spent addressing concerns – everything from poor food quality and missing belongings to unexpected weight loss and abuse. They also help residents understand their options when choosing a new home, support resident councils, and work with facility staff to meet resident needs.
Ombudsmen are trusted allies to family caregivers who are navigating the complex and overwhelming long-term care system. We know that caregiving doesn't stop at the nursing home doors. Ombudsmen act as a lifeline for caregivers who have nowhere else to turn with questions or when problems arise.
Behind every older adult protected by the ombudsman program is the landmark public policy that makes it possible: the Older Americans Act.
This federal law established back in 1965 has been the backbone of a national network of services and supports for older adults, such as home-delivered meals and caregiver respite. It's been the first line of defense against elder abuse for decades. In Tennessee, the law ensured the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program was able to respond to over 4,000 complaints and nearly 2,400 questions from family members and facility staff last year alone.
Thankfully for Tennesseans, ombudsmen aren't in this alone; they work with a wide network of support services. Adult protective services, local law enforcement, the state survey agency that licenses these homes, the Attorney General's Office, area agencies on aging and disability, and district attorneys are among the many dedicated professionals partnering to fight for and protect vulnerable Tennesseans. These public servants make up some of the most dedicated, impassioned people you could hope to have working on behalf of your loved ones.
In honor of public servants on the front lines combating elder abuse, let's make this June 15 more than a day of awareness and recognize that the protection of Tennessee's older adults is championed by long-term care ombudsmen and other protective service entities dedicated to the charge.
The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a programmatically independent advocacy service located within the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. To find your District Long-Term Care Ombudsman, visit https://www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging.html or call 877-236-0013.
Teresa Teeple is a Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day puts focus on TN protectors | Opinion
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