Connecticut Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Assists Residents To testify Remotely Before a Legislative Hearing

June 09, 2021

The Connecticut Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program encourages and assists long-term care residents to testify remotely before a legislative hearing this year. Speaking into an iPad provided by the Ombudsman’s office, a resident testified without ever leaving her room. The combination of a virtual legislature and nursing home residents equipped with internet access has created an opportunity most nursing home residents rarely have — to participate in their government up close and in real time. After visitors were banned last year, the Ombudsman program and the state public health department distributed tablets for virtual visits with relatives and friends. Mairead Painter, Connecticut’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, frequently advises legislators and testifies at hearings, but she also urges residents to speak for themselves. Read more.