March 4, 2013 - Cabarrus County
March 4, 2013 - Cabarrus County
March 4, 2013 - Cabarrus County
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Weaknesses of Facilities in <strong>Cabarrus</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />
a. High staff turnover, especially at the Administrator level, remains a significant problem, which adversely<br />
impacts continuity of care.<br />
b. Residents would benefit from more community groups to visit and participate in activities.<br />
c. Resident groups need more opportunities for affordable group outings in the community.<br />
d. Access to dental care remains a chronic concern for many in NH and ACH residents.<br />
e. Lack of timely, appropriate notice and discharge planning when a resident is asked to leave.<br />
Other comments<br />
a. Committees will plan for the <strong>2013</strong> Annual Resident Rights Luncheon in October. At this event in 2011, the<br />
long-term care residents in <strong>Cabarrus</strong> <strong>County</strong> received an abundance of donated goodie bag items<br />
(toiletries, snacks, etc.) from the <strong>Cabarrus</strong> Caring Hearts and Hands, through a contact made by Kay<br />
Honeycutt. We would be grateful to see this service project become a tradition in <strong>Cabarrus</strong>, to allow<br />
caring citizens to respond to the ongoing needs of area long-term care residents who often cannot afford<br />
or these items when needed. Other service groups are invited to join this effort, also.<br />
b. Committee members and the community-at-large will be invited to attend the <strong>Cabarrus</strong> <strong>County</strong> World<br />
Elder Abuse Awareness Day educational event, to be held at Carolinas Medical Center – Northeast on<br />
June 12, <strong>2013</strong>, which is hosted by the <strong>Cabarrus</strong> <strong>County</strong> Task Force for Prevention of Abuse of Elderly and<br />
Disabled Adults.<br />
c. Volunteers attended quarterly training meetings with the Centralina AAA Regional Ombudsman as<br />
required. Many volunteers maintain excellent attendance at training meetings.<br />
d. CAC members will continue efforts to recruit/retain volunteers using local media to publicize volunteer<br />
opportunities.<br />
e. The committee members and the Centralina Ombudsman Program are grateful for the work of the<br />
<strong>County</strong> in recruiting new volunteers and re-appointing existing volunteers. <strong>Cabarrus</strong> <strong>County</strong> consistently<br />
allows the Regional Ombudsman to pre-screen citizens who inquire about service on the CAC and discuss<br />
the requirements of this position prior to making an appointment. This is an investment of time that<br />
results in appointees who have a more complete understanding of the volunteer work before they are<br />
appointed to the CAC, which makes the appointment process far easier and reduces potential problems<br />
with inactive members and resignations.<br />
THE REGIONAL OMBUDSMAN WILL DISTRIBUTE THIS REPORT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE<br />
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE DIVISION OF AGING AND ADULT SERVICES.<br />
Prepared by Laurie Abounader, Regional Ombudsman, and CAC members Karen Pensgen and Joanne<br />
Yurchison, with input from members of both Community Advisory Committees.<br />
--Date prepared: February 12, <strong>2013</strong>--<br />
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Attachment Page number 4 of 41<br />
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