Las Cruces Community Radio 101.5 FM
  • Home
  • Donate
  • Listen
    • Archives
  • Schedule
    • Programs
  • Underwrite
  • Merch
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Contact Us

Walt Rubel Commentary: Inspections show need for ombudsmen

8/13/2024

 
The number of New Mexico residents aged 85 and older will double in the next 20 years, according to updated projections by demographers at the University of New Mexico. I turned 66 last month, and plan to be one of them.

The number of residents aged 65 and older is expected to increase by 200,000 during that same time period. It’s estimated that the state’s senior population will grow from 13 percent in 2010 to nearly 23 percent by 2040.

All of which makes the recent surprise inspections of senior care facilities throughout the state even more troubling. 


From May 17-19, representatives from the Department of Health conducted unannounced inspections at 91 long-term care facilities in 13 counties throughout the state, including Dona Ana. Only 11 passed with no violations, and none of those were in our county.


Two facilities were immediately reported to the Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Hotline by state inspectors. Another was referred due to a recent COVID outbreak at the facility. All four of the facilities with failing grades were either in Gallup or Albuquerque.


“We take the findings of this report very seriously. The quality of long-term care in New Mexico falls short of what our seniors deserve,” said Health Secretary Partrick Allen. “This must change, and we are committed to making it happen.” 


There were 55 facilities that scored 90 percent or better, 11 that were 80 percent or better and 10 that were 70 percent or better.


Reviews from residents were mixed. “There is no privacy. There is nothing to do but watch TV. The staff are mean. They will not say ‘hi’ and get mad sometimes,” one resident said. “Staff keep leaving. The cook left and now the food is awful,” another resident said. Another said he was comfortable in his environment and that staff treat him well, but added, “if the government would pay the staff more than minimum wage they would stay at the facility longer and the food would get better.”


Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham encouraged anyone who is concerned about the wellbeing of residents in senior care facilities to consider volunteering for the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which is run through the Aging and Long Term Services Department.


According to information on the department’s website, as many as 50 percent of residents living in senior care facilities don’t have regular visitors to help advocate for them. 


“Ombudsman volunteers ensure the rights of all residents are heard,” it said. “Ombudsman volunteers are strong resident-directed advocates who work alongside residents and their advocates to preserve residents’ rights, freedom, privacy, fairness and self-determination.”


Ombudsmen are required to complete a training and certification program from the state. They work in cooperation with regional state coordinators and can make their own schedules, but must work at least three hours a week.


Luckily for me, I’ve got my final years all figured out. I’m going to be sharp as a tack, healthy and vigorous right up until the night when I die peacefully while sleeping in my bed at home. But I do understand there is a chance things won’t work out that way.


If that doesn’t happen, it would be nice to have somebody helping to look after my interests.


Walter Rubel can be reached at [email protected].
Listen to the audio version

Comments are closed.

    Shows

    All
    All About Books
    Cafe Con Leche
    Commentaries
    Coronavirus Update
    Delving In
    Earth Matters
    Eye On Government
    Just Community
    Live From The Market
    Live True
    Local Vibes Live
    Mesilla Valley Sports Show
    Speak Up Las Cruces
    Special Broadcasts
    Take On Faith
    The Sunday Show
    Think Again
    This Week In Las Cruces

    Music Shows

    You can find a two-week archive of all of our music shows and nearly every other one of our shows by going to our Schedule page.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly