There is no such thing as a straight path on our journey. Right when you think you have it all figured out, you receive a curveball that takes you where you least expect it. In my role as director of the long-term care ombudsman Program at Catholic Charities of Louisville, it’s my job to help residents of long-term care facilities deal with these curveballs.
As ombudsmen, we support these residents when they are most vulnerable. We listen to their stories and remind them they are not forgotten. Whenever possible, we strive to fill their days with joy, but above all else, we make sure their voices are heard.
The state of Kentucky created the Ombudsman Program in 1972, and it’s since become a federally mandated program. Catholic Charities holds the contract to administer the Ombudsman Program free of charge in our district, which includes Jefferson County and six surrounding counties.
Although working to effect big-picture changes in the long-term care system is key to our mission, we make a difference daily through personal connections in an effort to improve lives.
Our clients come from all walks of like, and though every case is unique, there is a common thread: all are in a position of vulnerability and in need of an advocate who is both knowledgeable and compassionate.
Perhaps a senior citizen requires surgery, goes to a facility for therapy, and from there learns he can no longer return home. Learning you can’t return to the home you know and love, that you can no longer visit with family and friends at your leisure or drive around the community to engage in whatever hobbies bring you joy — it’s devastating. We help such clients acclimate to their new lives, showing compassion along the way.
As ombudsmen, our jobs run the gamut from investigating serious complaints to ensuring the “little things” are taken care of for residents. Maybe it’s making sure someone has hot coffee or palatable meals, a shower or bath a couple times per week, opportunities to be active and social, a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.
For most of their lives, these individuals have been self-sufficient. They didn’t need to ask for assistance with seemingly mundane daily activities, which is something most of us take for granted. Those things are now a distant memory. Some long-term care residents can’t remember what it was like to breathe fresh air, because now they’re confined to a facility with strict schedules and rules, or they have become isolated and depressed, not wanting to engage in activities.
We work tirelessly to lift these people up, to restore their dignity, to ensure their wellbeing.
As ombudsmen, we seek to determine whether long-term care facilities are doing all they can to meet the needs of their residents. We provide help and create hope, alleviating hardships by sharing in their journey.
Natalie Brown-Radtke is director of long-term care ombudsman program at Catholic Charities of Louisville.
