Newberg Graphic Online

Senior care is ombudsman’s beat

Service — Local retiree works single-handedly to monitor and improve the care of seniors in care homes and assisted living facilities

• By: David Sale  
• Published: 12/1/2009 3:56:57 PM

Photo By: Gary AllenWarms to volunteer position
As ombudsman for Yamhill County, Dan Rogers is responsible for advocating for the proper care of hundreds of seniors.

   Dan Rogers may be retired, but he hasn’t slowed down — he’s on a mission to aid his fellow seniors in Newberg and beyond.
   As a volunteer ombudsman for Oregon’s Office of Long-Term Care, the 72-year-old Rogers is responsible for aiding seniors throughout Yamhill County with obtaining quality care.
   “I deal with everything under the sun,” he said. “Complaints about food — that’s probably the most common — assistance with Medicaid, even issues of abuse.”
   Although separate from the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services, long-term care ombudsmen are authorized by the state to act as senior advocates and to investigate cases of abuse.
   “As an ombudsman, the law says I’m entitled to have access to a senior facility at any time and I take advantage of that,” Rogers said, adding that his agency also has subpoena powers.
   Abusive or negligent care providers can also be fined or have their licenses revoked through the DHS’ Adult Protective Services, the agency which steps in to oversee enforcement.
   However, Rogers said, “I try to resolve issues myself, without having to report them to the state office,” Like his fellow ombudsman, he is a trained mediator. “I can resolve about 50 percent of the issues reported to me that way — but if it takes a formal hearing in court, I win more than I lose.”
   Senior abuse can come in many forms, Rogers said: “Physical or verbal, from staff, other residents or even family members. Those cases, problems with relatives, have been some of my toughest challenges — you know, cases where the kids want Dad’s house, or something.”
   Ombudsmen like Rogers also provide assistance in more mundane cases, such as helping seniors access legal aid, arrange in-home care or obtain Social Security, veterans or health insurance benefits.
   “Trouble with private policies — denied claims, for instance — is something I work to straighten out,” Rogers said. While ombudsmen are required to keep clients’ identities confidential, Rogers was proud to say that he had negotiated a disputed co-pay down from $6,000 to $800 for one area senior.
   A former naval architect with a family of six, Rogers left the shipbuilding industry in 2000, moving to Newberg from Fox Island, Wash.
   “I heard about the ombudsman program through a flyer in the AARP magazine about four years ago, and was certified in 2004,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be blessed with health, whereas quite a few people I advocate for are younger than myself.”
   While ombudsman are only required to serve 10 hours per month, as Yamhill County’s lone representative Rogers worked slightly more than double that in October.
   “Right now, I cover about 600 beds,” he said. “Yamhill County has an enormous number of senior care facilities and there used to be three of us — we really need some help.”
   While being a retiree gives Rogers a flexible schedule, adults of any age can apply for certification as a senior care ombudsman, either by calling the Office of Long-Term care at 1-800-522-2602 or by e-mail at LTCO.contact@state.or.us.
   Rogers also encourages prospective volunteers — as well as those seeking assistance — to get in touch with him directly at 503-537-6196.
   “It’s hard work, but very fulfilling,” he said.

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