Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

09/24/2026

Falls can have a major impact on an older adult’s independence, confidence, and ability to remain connected to the people and activities that matter to them.

During Falls Prevention Awareness Week, September 21 through September 25, the Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program encourages older adults, residents, families, caregivers, and community partners to take a few simple steps to reduce fall risks.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among Connecticut adults age 60 and older, but many falls can be prevented.

Start by learning about your own risk. The National Council on Aging’s Falls Free CheckUp asks 13 simple questions and provides information to help you stay safe and independent:
https://bit.ly/Falls-CheckUp

Other important steps include talking with your family about fall concerns, reviewing medications with your doctor or pharmacist, making your home or living environment safer, staying active with exercises that improve strength and balance, and keeping up with vision and hearing care.

Fall prevention is also a team effort. Residents should feel comfortable speaking up about safety concerns in their home or long term care setting and participating in decisions about the supports they need.

Connecticut’s Falls Free CT coalition brings together state agencies, health professionals, community organizations, and others working to help older adults stay safe, active, and independent.

Learn more about fall prevention and find programs available in Connecticut:
https://fallsfreect.org/preventing-falls/

A safer environment can help protect more than physical health. It can help preserve independence, choice, and quality of life.

Image description:
Simple graphic with the Falls Free CT logo and the words Falls Prevention Awareness Week, September 21 to 25. The image also shows a person stepping carefully and highlights fall prevention awareness.

09/16/2026

We were happy to join the East Lyme Senior Center for their Senior Fair today!

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community, spread the word about resident rights, and share how the Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program supports and advocates for older adults.

A special thank you to our dedicated Volunteer Resident Advocate for joining us!

https://portal.ct.gov/ltcop/content/volunteer-advocate/vra

Interested in making a difference? Consider becoming a Volunteer Resident Advocate and helping ensure residents’ voices are heard!

09/01/2026

Access to medically necessary skilled nursing care should not depend on whether someone knows how, or has the support to appeal a denial.

A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report found that Medicare Advantage plans overturned 95% of appealed prior-authorization denials for skilled nursing facility admission. Yet, only 18% of denials were appealed.

If you or someone you care about receives a Medicare Advantage denial for skilled nursing or rehabilitation services:

1. Read the denial notice carefully and act quickly, appeal deadlines can be short.

2. Ask the plan and care providers for information about the decision and appeal process.

3. Keep copies of all notices, records, and communications.

4. Contact your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for information and advocacy related to the rights of long-term-care residents.

5. For Medicare coverage and appeal information, contact the Center for Medicare Advocacy at 860-456-7790 or visit www.medicareadvocacy.org.

No resident should be left without needed care because a denial goes unchallenged.

Read the OIG report: https://oig.hhs.gov/reports/all/2026/medicare-advantage-organizations-overturned-nearly-all-appealed-prior-authorization-denials-for-skilled-nursing-facility-admission-raising-concerns-about-initial-denials/

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06/30/2026

Financial exploitation happens when someone illegally or improperly uses your loved one’s money or belongings for their personal use.

If a resident deposits personal funds with their facility, the facility must place funds greater than $50 into an interest-bearing account and make individual financial records available through quarterly statements to the resident or resident’s legal representative.

06/22/2026

Every nursing home tells a story, and staffing is one part of that story.

When individuals and families are exploring nursing home options, there is rarely one single source of information that answers every question. Visiting the facility, speaking with residents and families, reviewing inspection history, asking about care practices, and contacting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can all be part of understanding a nursing home more fully.

PBJ320 is another tool individuals may choose to use as part of that process.

The site brings together 9 years of staffing data for nursing homes across the United States. It allows users to look at staffing over time, including total staffing levels, staffing by position, and more detailed information about nursing staff, aides, licensed nurses, registered nurses, ownership, and state-level trends. From an Ombudsman perspective, this kind of information can help residents, families, and advocates ask more informed questions.

For example:
How has this nursing home been staffed over time?
How does staffing compare with other facilities?
Are there patterns that are worth asking about?
What questions should I bring with me when I visit or speak with facility leadership?

PBJ320 does not tell someone which nursing home to choose, and staffing data alone does not tell the whole story of care. But it may help individuals better understand one important piece of the larger picture.

Staffing affects care.
Information helps people ask better questions.
And better questions can help residents and families make more informed decisions.

Explore PBJ320 here:
https://www.pbj320.com/

Additional information about choosing a nursing home, including questions to consider and other resources, can be found on the Connecticut Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program website:
https://portal.ct.gov/ltcop/choosing-a-nursing-home

Historical nursing home staffing data and trends over time across 15,000+ U.S. facilities, built from CMS PBJ public files by quarter since 2017.

06/15/2026

Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I was proud to join partners from across Connecticut for an important conversation about protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of older adults.

From an Ombudsman perspective, elder justice means making sure older adults are heard, respected, and supported. Whether concerns involve abuse, neglect, exploitation, or isolation. It also means reminding people that response matters, and that collaboration across systems is essential.

Thankful to be part of a panel alongside professionals in law enforcement, public health, prosecution, and financial services, all working toward a stronger response to elder abuse.

Older adults deserve safety, dignity, and a voice.

06/04/2026

Have you or someone you care for had trouble getting Medicare home health services?

The Center for Medicare Advocacy wants to hear from people who have experienced problems accessing Medicare-covered home health care, including:

- Being unable to find a home health agency or home health aide after calling around
- Home health services ending too soon
- A reduction or decrease in needed home health services

Your experience can help bring attention to the barriers people face when trying to receive care at home through Medicare.

You may share your experience anonymously.

To share your story, contact:

Eric Krupa (He/Him)
Supervising Attorney
Center for Medicare Advocacy
[email protected]
(860) 456-7790

05/28/2026

Know Your Rights: Don't Get Caught Off Guard by Surprise SNF Bills

Did you know that Medicare requires a 3-day qualifying hospital stay before it will cover care in a skilled nursing facility? Here's the catch: time spent on "observation status" (billed as outpatient) doesn't count toward those 3 days—even if you're in the hospital for multiple days.

Many people ask hospital staff about their status and are given incorrect information about whether they qualify for Medicare SNF coverage. Some nursing homes don't properly notify residents when they lack the qualifying stay, leading to unexpected bills for thousands of dollars.

You have consumer rights! Connecticut's Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) protects you from deceptive practices. If a facility tells you "not to worry about the cost" and then bills you later, you may have legal recourse.

Read this important article from the Center for Medicare Advocacy to learn more about your rights:

Medicare coverage is confusing - even if beneficiaries inquire about their status, they may be provided with false information.

05/14/2026

** Educational Opportunity for Elder Abuse Awareness **

This May and June, in recognition of Elder Justice Awareness Month, Administration for Community Living and the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) will host a 10-part webinar series on protecting older adults by strengthening awareness, prevention, and response to fraud, abuse, and exploitation. This series offers practical tools and insights for professionals, advocates, and community members. Expert-led sessions will cover a range of topics, including:
• Government imposter scams and fraud prevention
• Investment scam warning signs
• Social Security online safety
• Elder abuse prevention and intervention strategies
• Empowering frontline staff and community response

All events will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. ET. The first in the series are:

• May 19, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET: Top Scams Affecting Older Adults, hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

• May 21, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET: Combatting Imposter Scams: How to Spot, Avoid, and Report Imposter Scams, hosted by the Department of Justice and FTC

See below for how to join. Registration is not required for these two webinars. Additional details, including the full session schedule and event information, will be available on the EJCC website at least two days prior to each webinar.

05/12/2026

Proud to partner with the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut and AARP Connecticut for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

By working together, we can strengthen awareness, prevention, and response efforts to better protect older adults and others who may be at heightened risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Don't Miss the AARP World Elder Abuse Event on 6/15/26!