Data from long-term care ombudsman programs in six states: the implications of collecting resident demographics.
OBJECTIVE
This article focuses on why it is important for longterm care ombudsmen to collect resident demographics.


METHODS
The authors analyzed a cross-sectional, 6-state database to show the importance of ombudsman programs' collecting demographic information about the residents of long-term care facilities whom they serve. To demonstrate the importance of collecting demographic data about residents, the authors examined the relationships between race, gender, and types of complaints lodged, verified, and fully resolved.


RESULTS
A higher percentage of complaints lodged on behalf of racial minorities was verified, yet a lower percentage was fully resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
Ombudsman databases are a potential resource for identifying residents' characteristics that increase their vulnerability in long-term care settings.
Huber
R
R
Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, KY 40292, USA. ruth.huber@louisville.edu
Borders
K
K
Netting
F E
FE
Nelson
H W
HW
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D019992:Databases as Topic; D004552:Elder Abuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012106:Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States; D044465:White People