01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, August 22, 2004

Rhode Island's ombudsman for the elderly, Roberta M. Hawkins, gives this advice to families of nursing home residents:

"Stay involved. You cannot look the other way."

When considering a particular nursing home, ask the Health Department for inspections done at the home in the past year, she says. The request should include substantiated "complaint investigations."

Visit the nursing home at key times, she says.

At 11 a.m., residents should be clean, dressed, fed breakfast, and busy with therapy or an activity.

"If you're coming in after work, try to get in a half-hour before the meal is served. Were they in bed? How long had they been there? They should be cleaned and changed and ready for supper."

What if you don't like how your family member is being treated?

Hawkins doesn't think the first call should be to the Department of Health.

Meet first with the charge nurse on the floor, Hawkins says, and then the social worker. Find out if a nursing home has a family council or volunteer ombudsman.

Each nursing home is required to post Hawkins' phone number at the Alliance for Better Long Term Care, 785-3340. The alliance goes to homes in response to complaints.

She tells family members not to accept excuses, such as staffing woes.

"If they don't have enough staff, they shouldn't be admitting people," she says.

Jennifer Levitz