COVID-19 risks and restrictions have created a confusing and often frightening situation for residents of long term care facilities and their relatives.

But ombudsman supervisors for the Long Term Care Authority of Enid, Area Agency on Aging, remind that residents don’t lose their constitutional rights and privileges when they move into a nursing home or assisted living center.

“Residents of nursing homes may feel they don’t have any choices or say in the care they receive,” ombudsman supervisor Julie Torson said. “All residents have rights that are protected by the law. Even individuals who have been placed in a home under guardianship have rights.

“Now, because of COVID-19 restrictions and regulations, residents may be even more confused about what rights they have.

“Residents in long term care facilities still have rights. Nothing has changed that.”

The long term care ombudsman program is a state program that works to ensure that the rights of nursing home residents are protected.

In addition to Torson, David Huff also serves as an ombudsman supervisor working out of the Enid

office to assist residents in Kingfisher, Garfield, Blaine, Major, Alfalfa, Grant, Kay and Noble counties.

They are charged with assisting individuals in nursing homes, assisted living and residential care facilities to resolve any complaints or concerns they may have.

They ensure these individuals are aware of their rights and make sure the facilities uphold the law and rights of these individuals.

The following is a partial list of residents’ rights in long term care facilities:

•Residents should be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.

• Residents have the right to privacy when receiving care. Staff should knock before entering the room.

• Residents have the freedom to accept or refuse treatment. They should receive care in a timely manner and have requests addressed promptly.

• Residents should be able to choose a personal physician and/or pharmacy. They should have access to their medical records and be made aware of any changes.

• They have the right to participate in care plan meetings.

• Residents shouldbe able to visit with guests privately. This includes electronic visits, outdoor visits and phone calls. Socially distant visits are required now because of Covidl9.

• Residents have the right to participate in activities of their choice. When residents are unable to attend group activities, they should receive accommodating activities, on an individual basis.

• Residents have the right to vote and receive mail unopened.

• Residents have the right to make personal choices including food and clothing choices.

• They should be able keep and use personal possessions and be able to have a locked space for valuables.

• Residents have the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical and mental abuse. They should be free from corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion and the use of restraints.

Although ombudsmen are bound by the same CDC-guided restrictions that limit any other outside visitors from direct physical access to nursing facilities, they continue to follow state mandates regarding investigation of complaints.

Residents or their loved ones who report a complaint or concern will be immediately contacted by an ombudsman, who also can contact nursing supervisors and facility managers or owners as needed to investigate complaints, a spokesperson said.

Residents can also be contacted by telephone or other virtual means, including video calls, depending on their level of comfort with the technology, the spokesperson said.

Ombudsmen also will return to actual visits to investigate concerns at individual facilities as soon as state pandemic guidelines for nursing homes can safely be loosened.

Supervisors Torson and Huff can be reached at Long Term Care Authority of Enid, Area Agency on Aging at (580)237-2236 or at their office at 202 W. Broadway, Suite A, Enid.

They welcome contact from any resident or loved one with questions, concerns or complaints.

County tax bills mailed

Kingfisher County ad valorem tax bills went into the mail on Monday.

County Treasurer Robin Rother announced that a drop box to receive payments has been installed at the courthouse Main Street entrance (checks only, no cash) and that taxpayers who do notbring their statements will be charged $1 a copy to reprint statements.

Tax payments are due by Dec. 31. A 1.5 percent per month penalty is required for payments made after that date.

However, those who elect may pay one-half of the total bill by Dec. 31 and delay the second half payment (without penalty) to March 31st.