Nursing Home Closures Toolkit for Ombudsmen and Advocates

Introduction

This toolkit includes materials that will be helpful to you if you are involved in a nursing home closing.  You can view the entire toolkit in a single printable PDF file here.

Click on the following links to view the Training Agenda, Training PowerPoint, 12 Month Work Plan, and Table of Contents:

• Training Agenda
• Training PowerPoint
• 12 Month Work Plan
• Table of Contents

NOTE: Some state materials have been edited for the purposes of formatting into this toolkit.  The content remains unchanged.

Click on the following links to navigate to different parts of the toolkit:

• Successful Transitions: Reducing the Negative Impact of Nursing Home Closures
• Federal & Sample State Guidelines on Closures
• Sample Letters to Residents & Families
• Sample Forms & Checklists
• Additional Consumer Voice Resources

Successful Transitions: Reducing the Negative Impact of Nursing Home Closures

The toolkit includes the Executive Summary and State Case Studies from the Consumer Voice's report on nursing home closures.  Click on the following links to read the report:

• Executive Summary
• State Case Studies
• Full Report

Federal & Sample State Guidelines on Closures

The following section includes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) guidelines for closure.  There are also descriptions of the requirements in three states with some unique features as well as an actual closing plan:

• Consumer Voice Issue Brief on Nursing Home Closures
• CMS Federal Closure Rules
• CMS Admission, Transfer, and Discharge Requirements
• Rhode Island - Closure Guidelines
• Rhode Island - Notice of Your Transfer/Discharge Rights
• Rhode Island - Actual Closure Plan from a Nursing Home
• Iowa - Closure/Crisis Team Intervention Process
• Wisconsin - Summary of Relocation Manual & State Statutes

Sample Letters to Residents & Families

This section includes sample letters to residents & families at the onset and during a nursing home closure.  This might be of help as you develop your own materials.

• Ohio – Termination of Medicaid Funding for XXX Care Center
• Wisconsin – Introductory Communication
• Connecticut – Resident Rights and Options Memo from Legal Services
• Connecticut – Informational Letter to Residents from LTCOP
• Connecticut – Frequently Asked Questions from LTCOP
• Ohio – Long-Term Care Living Options
• Iowa – Notification Letter

Sample Forms & Checklists

This section contains several forms and checklists used by many different states as they monitor closures.

• Consumer Voice – Checklist to Use for Closures
• Consumer Voice – Checklist for Resident & Family Members on Transferring Personal Items
• Consumer Voice – Resident and Family Informational Sheet
• Ohio – Resident Contact Information Sheet Including Questions for Resident Interview
• Florida – Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Facility Closure Checklist
• Iowa – Daily Closure Report
• Rhode Island – LTCO/Closure Team Needs & Information
• Rhode Island – LTCO Discharge “To Do” List
• Rhode Island – Emergency Resident Transfer Form
• Rhode Island – Daily Scheduled Appointments
• Rhode Island – LTCO Progress Notes
• Rhode Island – Final Discharge List

Additional Consumer Voice Resources

This section includes a brochure and information card for residents & family members about knowing their rights during a nursing home closure.

• “Know Residents’ Rights During a Nursing Home Closure” Brochure
• “Know Your Rights During a Nursing Home Closure” Information Card