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Ombudsman program sees busiest quarter after facility closures; advocates report resident care issues resolved
Summary
The Center for Prevention of Abuse’s ombudsman program reported its busiest quarter after two large facilities in East Peoria closed and said staff tracked residents through transfers and resolved individual care issues including missed showers and inadequate head care.
John, an ombudsman with the Center for Prevention of Abuse, told the committee the center handled its busiest quarter ever after two large facilities in East Peoria closed, and that most transferred residents were moved safely to Peoria County facilities that met their needs.
John described several interventions: staff helped a resident who had not had a shower for nearly 10 days after a room move and arranged a new mattress for a resident reporting neck and back pain. He said most ombudsman cases are for what he characterized as "common sense items" — basic care, hygiene and follow-up — and that ombudsmen visit every skilled nursing, assisted‑living and specialized mental‑health unit in the six‑county area at least once per month.
John said the program receives complaints from family members, facility staff (including mandatory reporters), other agencies and from residents during private visits. He also noted outreach success tied to a new bus wrap that has generated daily calls.
Why it matters: ombudsman work addresses individual resident safety and dignity across long‑term care facilities, and the program’s increased volume followed external facility closures and transfers into county facilities.
