Iowa State Plan on Aging: Balancing Long-Term Community Support Services for Aging Iowans, FY 2014–2015

This plan outlines the activities and strategies that the IDA will purse to achieve its goals, objectives, and expected outcomes in modernizing Iowa’s aging network. The goals that will move Iowa’s state plan.

LONG-TERM CARE Ombudsman, November 2014

Through advocacy, self-empowerment, and education by the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, each resident or tenant in a long-term care facility will be treated with dignity and respect and will have his or her rights honored.

Iowa Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Annual Report 2014

This report reflects the efforts of the Long-Term Care Ombudsmen by sharing program highlights, discussing issues encountered and making recommendations by the Office in carrying out its federal mandate to act as an advocate for the residents/tenants of long-term care facilities.

Iowa Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Annual Report 2015

This report reflects the efforts of the Long-Term Care Ombudsmen by sharing program highlights, discussing issues encountered and making recommendations by the Office in carrying out its federal mandate to act as an advocate for the residents and tenants of long-term care facilities.

Involuntary Discharge from a Long-Term Facility

An involuntary discharge from a long-term care (LTC) facility occurs when the facility provides a 30-day written notice to a resident informing him/her of the need to move out of the facility. The notice must set out the reasons for the transfer or discharge as well as state the effective date, location of transfer or discharge, statement of appeal rights and the contact information (name, address and telephone number) for the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Long-Term Care Choices

Consumers today have many choices when it comes to considering long-term care – whether they wish to remain in their home or community or move into an assisted living program or nursing home. Choosing a long-term care option that best fits your individual situation can depend on the level of care you need, your location preferences, your lifestyle needs and your ability to pay. The best time to begin exploring your options is long before the need arises. That way, you can communicate your preferences to your loved ones and create a plan that meets your needs as well as your wishes.

Long-term Care Payment Options

As the population ages, many of us will be faced with the prospect of moving either ourselves or a loved one into a long-term care setting (nursing home, assisted living facility or elder group home). Whether the decision comes up suddenly following a hospitalization or gradually as care needs evolve, the question of how to pay for long-term care is certain to arise. Some people mistakenly believe that Medicare will pay for their long-term care stay, but while Medicare will pay for hospital costs and skilled nursing facility stays, it does not pay for long-term care. Rather, possible payment options for long-term care include private pay, Medicaid or long-term care insurance or veterans benefits.

Iowa guide to long-term care insurance : the time to explore your insurance options is now, 2014

This is a guide to the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

Sexuality Expression in Long-Term Care

By federal law, individuals residing in long-term care are afforded multiple rights, many of which are relevant to sexuality. These rights include but are not limited to: the rights to privacy, confidentiality, dignity and respect, the right to make independent choices, and the right to choose visitors and meet in a private location. The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman strives to preserve these rights by promoting attitudes of awareness, acceptance, and respect of sexual diversity. Though outcomes to sexually-related situations vary innumerably, as each is different and must be considered independently, the OSLTCO believes a multidisciplinary effort is necessary to develop a thoughtful process from which to draw and support conclusions. It is not the responsibility of the long-term care facility or assisted living program (or a single staff member) to solely determine whether a resident/tenant should or should not be sexually expressive.