Advocating for The Rights of Long-Term Care Residents

<p>How a grassroots Facebook group is advocating for nursing home residents: </p> <p>&quot;We are just families that want to get stuff done. That&#39;s all we are.&quot;— Mary Nichols</p> <p> </p> <p>On this episode of Life Happens with Kim Hegwood, Kim is joined by guest Mary Nichols to discuss the advocacy work being done for long-term care residents in Texas. Mary and a group of family members banded together out of necessity during the pandemic and successfully campaigned for essential family caregivers to have access to facilities. </p> <p>This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating challenges in life and looking to help others.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Topics</strong> </p> <p> 1: Long-Term Care Facilities</p> <p>The group organizes campaigns like &quot;Isolation Kills&quot; and &quot;Essential Caregivers&quot; bill and successfully raise money in a short period of time.- The group is made up of families with loved ones in long-term care who want to make a meaningful impact.</p> <p><br> Topic 2: Ombudsmen</p> <p>Ombudsmen are important advocates for residents in facilities and can identify solutions that facilities and visiting staff may not be able to due to lack of patient knowledge and being short-staffed.During the pandemic, when others were not allowed in facilities, Ombudsmen were still allowed, making them crucial for resident care.</p> <p><br> Topic 3: Essential Caregivers</p> <p>Family members banded together out of necessity due to loved ones being isolated in long-term care facilities during the pandemic.- Mary started an online petition in June for essential family caregivers to be allowed in facilities.- The group introduced the essential caregiver concept to the state of Texas, and it turned out for the best despite not being planned.</p> <p><br> Topic 4: Advocacy Work</p> <p>Mary emphasizes that they are volunteers and family members, not lobbyists or attorneys. The group&#39;s strength lies in being constituents.- The group was invited to participate in a review of Texas Administra