Resources

Advanced Health Care Directives

AHCD – English
AHCD Instructions
AHCD – Spanish

Please note that the Spanish directive has been provided simply for translation purposes and will not be accepted by medical staff. Ombudsman cannot witness the signing of a directive completed in Spanish. ALL directives have to be completed in English.

Nursing Home

How to Choose a Nursing Home Fact Sheet
Transfer/Discharge Rights Fact Sheet
Resident’s Rights Fact Sheet

Should I sign an Arbitration Agreement? Fact Sheet Arbitration Agreements

To access specific public information regarding placement options, complaints, citations, or deficiencies issued to a skilled nursing facility by the California Department of Public Health, please click here.

You may also contact the California Department of Public Health for general inquiries or to make a complaint by phone at:
661-336-0543

RCFE (Assisted Living)

RCFE Eviction Protections.pdf
RCFE Evaluation Checklist.pdf
http://canhr.org/factsheets/rcfe_fs/html/rcfe_rightsoutline_fs.htm

To access specific public information regarding placement options, complaints or citations issued by the California Department of Social Services, please click here.

You may also contact the California Department of Social Services for general inquiries or to make a complaint by phone at:
1-844-538-8766

Aging and Adult Services (Independent Living)

To file a complaint on behalf of a resident living in an unlicensed facility or a private home, or to access a list of room and board facilities, you can reach AAA at 661-868-1000. Other services provided by Aging and Adult Services include In Home Supportive Services and referrals for Conservatorship filings. Additional services can be referenced in the program brochures attached below.

APS Brochure English
APS Brochure Spanish

Conservatorship

For more information on conservatorship, including how to make a referral, please visit link below
https://www.kerncounty.com/aas/PublicGuardian.aspx

Office of the Kern County District Attorney (Civil Enforcement)

To file a Consumer Complaint on behalf of a resident in a licensed care facility who has experienced unfair or unlawful business practices, you can contact the DA by phone at 661-868-2340. You may also file a complaint in writing by clicking here.

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc.

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc. provides legal services to senior citizens on a number of legal matters. These include assistance with the revocation of powers of attorney, protection orders, and numerous other legal matters. Contact their office for assistance at 661-325-5943.

Kern Health Consumer Center

As a program of Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., the Kern Health Consumer Center is committed to addressing the health access problems of California consumers. The center provides free local assistance for problems with Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, and private insurance plans. Call a Health Advocate at 661-321-3982.

Appeal for Medicare Therapy Discharge

To appeal a discharge from therapy with Medicare, you can call Livanta at 1-877-588-1123, or you may reach them here.

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform

Provides long-term care justice and advocacy, compares nursing and residential care homes in California, and includes information on regulations and attorney referrals. Feel free to contact them at 1-800-474-1116.

For further assistance and fact sheets on numerous topics relating to long-term care, please visit CANHR’s website.

Quick Reference Website List

National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
Includes a directory of local Ombudsman contact information.

Formerly National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR)
Consumer Guides to choosing a nursing home
Information regarding long term care facilities and issues

Independent Living Center of Kern County
ILCKC provides Assistive Technology, Counseling and More. Contact them at 661-325-1063.

Valley Caregiver Resource Center
Information regarding respite services and emotional support for the caregiver. Contact them at 661-821-1626.

Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County
Provides adult day services and support groups, along with a variety of other services. Contact them at 661-665-8871.