Tanya Likens, Montpelier, staff member with the Toledo office of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), was guest speaker for the regular meeting of CHWC-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary Monday, Nov. 10th at 1 p.m. in the hospital conference room. She was introduced by Auxiliary Program Committee member Gloria Poorman.
Mrs. Likens reported that ABLE serves 10 counties in northwestern Ohio of which she covers seven counties—Willians, Fulton, Defiance, Henry, Wood, Paulding and western Lucas. The mission of ABLE is to provide the Ombudsman program to improve quality of life and quality of care for consumers of long-term care. This includes those who reside in skilled care nursing homes, residential care facilities, adult care facilities and those who receive community services such as home health care or transportation. ABLE covers 94 nursing homes, 62 assisted living facilities and 90 group homes in northwest Ohio, each of which is visited twice a year.
The Toledo ABLE office currently has six staff members certified by the Ohio Department of Aging, who have professional backgrounds in social work, nursing and health care. They are assisted by volunteers who receive special training and are certified. Funding for the Ombudsman program is provided by Title 3 grants from the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio. Currently there are no volunteers in Williams County for this program.
When complaints regarding long-term care patients involving abuse, neglect, admission and discharge problems, inadequate hygiene, and violations of civil rights are received, Ombudsmen respond, investigate and resolve concerns by working with the consumer, family members or other representatives and long-term providers to improve the quality of services by advocating changes. ABLE’s Ombudsman program stresses person-centered care involving a change of environment, systems and attitude, focusing on a resident’s quality of everyday living.
Ombudsmen staff also provide information for selecting a long-term care facility; however, they do not make recommendations for specific nursing homes. Information regarding Medicaid and Medicare and other state and federal programs is made available, as well as a complete list of resident rights. Program services are free and provide confidentiality and involves the consumer throughout complaint resolution.
To voice a concern or obtain additional information on long-term care, contact ABLE Ombudsman Program at 419-259-2891 or 800-542-1874. Options to report elder abuse and neglect are contact law enforcement (call 911 only if in immediate danger), Ohio Dept. of Health Complaint Hotline 1-800-342-0553, Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program1-877-5VICTIM (84-2846), and for Medicaid Fraud/Abuse & Neglect-Ohio Attorney General 1-800-642-2873.
Tanya Likens is also a kidney dialysis patient on the recipient’s need list for a kidney transplant, hopefully in the near future. Sunday, Nov. 17th a 200-helium balloon release is scheduled at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Montpelier, to raise awareness for organ donation.
Following Tanya’s presentation, Auxiliary President Joyce Schelling conducted the regular meeting starting with the Auxiliary prayer. A moment of silent prayer was observed in honor of veterans, past, present and future for Veterans Day Nov. 11th.
Roll call was answered to “Who do you know serving in the military or a veteran and what branch of service?”. Minutes from the previous meeting were read by Secretary Connie Dunseth. Treasurer Barb Dietsch gave her report, followed by committee reports by Vivian Brown, gift shop and recreation; Deanna Gipe, sunshine; Ruth Cooley, magazines; Marty Brace, historian. Vivian also thanked all volunteers who assisted with the Hospital Gift Shop Open House Nov. 7th which was very successful. The auxiliary-awareness display included at the Rainbow of Wellness held Oct. 16th at the Veterans Memorial Building was shown at the meeting.
Volunteers were requested to work at the semi-annual Book & Gift Fair scheduled Monday, Nov. 17th from 10 am-4 pm in the Montpelier Hospital conference room. Vivian Brown is in charge of patient favors for November.
Hostesses for the day were Gloria Poorman and Armeda Sawmiller.
Plans were discussed for the “Lighting the Way to Christmas” Memorial Program Sunday, Dec. 7th at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Montpelier. This event is sponsored annually by the Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary and includes reading of a roster of names of deceased loved ones, submitted by family members and friends.
Bill Priest will serve as master of ceremonies. Phil Ennen, President/CEO of Community Hospitals & Wellness Centers, will give the welcome and remarks. Rev. David Tilly will give the memorial message, the roster will be read by Bill Priest and Rev. Dee Custar, and Ned Horton, organist, will participate. Special music will be presented for the memorial program by Doug, Ranae and Whitney Heeres and Levi and Erica (Heeres) Suffel from the House of Prayer, Montpelier. Serving as greeters will be Lorna Myers and Gloria Poorman.
Following the program, all are invited to share fellowship and refreshments provided by the auxiliary. Volunteering to assist in the kitchen are Jean Young, Ruth Cooley and Deanna Gipe. In conjunction with the memorial program, luminaries in memory of loved ones will be lighted and displayed in front of the Montpelier Hospital during the Christmas season. For more information to include a departed loved one’s name in the roster reading, please contact Barb Dietsch, auxiliary treasurer, at 419-485-3229.
The auxiliary Christmas Luncheon will be held Monday, Dec. 8th at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church, Montpelier, with guest speaker Jami Tusko who will talk on “Grandparent Connections”. Roll call will be to share a Christmas tradition.
Members are asked to bring a Christmas card for the hospital card shower and non-perishable food, cleaning, laundry and personal hygiene items for See & Do Club and Helping Hands Food Pantry, instead of a gift exchange. Luncheon menu is ham loaf, au gratin potatoes, glazed carrots, toss salad and dressing, and pie. Guests are always welcome. Members please contact Barb Dietsch to make reservations by Monday, Dec. 1st.
