March 2017 News & Briefs

The Ombudsman Program representatives advocate for residents’ rights to promote the highest possible care and quality of life of residents in long-term care facilities. Under the Older Americans Act, every state is required to have a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. Nursing Home Reform Law, passed in 1987, guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights, including but not limited to: individualized care, respect, dignity, the right to visitation, the right to privacy, the right to complain, and the right to make independent choices. A Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a person who receives complaints, question, or concerns from residents of…

The senior Center for Creative Living (CCL) is one of two dozen Oklahoma organizations that are now finalists for a $10,000 award and the title of the state’s top nonprofit, thanks to the prestigious Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards, annually presented by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. The selection as a finalist is important because we have worked so hard to recover from financial downfall. Then the work put toward our physical plant (CCL) was astronomic but is complete and we are a viable organization. On April 29, 2017, the 24 finalists will join supporters at Tulsa’s Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center to celebrate and hear the announcement of…

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is hosting several public forum in the following locations Lawton, OK, Walters, OK, Anadarko, OK, and Chickasha, OK to consider the needs of older Oklahomans. This forum will be hosted at the following dates and locations and the centers are ADA accessible. November 15th, 2016- Lawton North Nutrition Center, 1705 NW 20th Street, Lawton, OK 73505 10:30 AM December 1st, 2016- (Public Hearing) Red River Technology Center Business, Duncan, OK 73533 9:00 AM December 20th, 2016- Walters Nutrition Center, 500 East California Street, Walters, OK 73572 10:30 AM January 12th, 2017- Chickasha Nutrition Center, 203 Nth 18th…

If you have a passion for helping others, caring spirit, and a willingness to learn. We need you! Become a Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman and help improve the quality of life and care for residents in a nursing home or assisted living facility near you. We provide training, tools and ongoing support from your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Supervisor. The next initial 2-day training will be December 6 and 7, 2016 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Great Plains Technology Center – 4500 SW Lee Blvd Lawton, Oklahoma Classroom B614. To attend and register please call or email LTC Ombudsman Supervisor Darin Terry at 580-736-7974, email terr_da@ascog.org or LTC…

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has just released a comprehensive revision of federal nursing facility regulations. The positives for nursing facility residents include expanded training requirements and a new provision that an initial care plan be developed and implemented within 48 hours. The negatives include a failure to improve nurse staffing standards, and weakening the regulations limiting antipsychotic drug use. Link to release: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-23503.pdf Contact your Long-Term Care Ombudsman Supervisor for more information and resources on nursing facilities. Darin Terry, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Supervisor, terr_da@ascog.org, Direct Line: 580-736-7974

What is Nursing Home Compare? Nursing Home Compare allows consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care and staffing information for all 15,000 plus Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes. Note: Nursing homes aren’t included on Nursing Home Compare if they aren’t Medicare- or Medicaid-certified. These Nursing Homes can be licensed by the state. For information about nursing homes not on Nursing Home Compare, contact your State Survey Agency. States may collect and post additional information that isn’t collected by the federal government. Contact your local area Long-Term Care Ombudsman Supervisor for more information and resources on nursing homes. Darin Terry, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Supervisor, terr_da@ascog.org, Direct Line: 580-736-7974

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments is accepting resumes for an Area Agency on Aging Planner II position in Duncan.  Will work under the general supervision of the ASCOG AAA Director.  Assists in the planning, coordination and implementation of comprehensive service systems for the elderly and related duties as assigned in the ASCOG eight county area.  Requires considerable knowledge of modern methods and principles of planning, data collection and research.  Must exercise leadership and work with older adults individually or in groups.  Required Bachelor’s degree with major course work in planning, social work, adult education, public health, human relations, gerontology or related field.  One year full time paid employment…

ASCOG-AAA-Transportation-RFP- SFY17-Parts-I-II 21July2016 ASCOG-AAA-RFP-2017-Part-III (1) ASCOG AAA 2017 RFP Part IV ASCOG AAA RFP 2017 vol withdrawal of project SFY17 ASCOG AAA Transportation RFP Checklist (1) SFY17 ASCOG AAA Transportation Application Scoring Guide 21July2016

Call Toll-Free To Make An Appointment: 844-ASPEN-HMM Aspen Dental dentists and teams are pleased to bring free dental care to veterans nationwide once again on June 25. Nearly 400 Aspen Dental offices in 33 states will open their doors to serve veterans in their local communities as part of the Healthy Mouth Movement, a community giving initiative.   Interested veterans should call 1-844-ASPEN-HMM to find a participating Aspen Dental office and schedule an appointment in advance. During appointments on June 25, volunteer dentists and teams will focus on treating the most urgent need of each veteran by providing free services – including fillings, extractions and basic denture repair – to…