OKMULKE, Oklv. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is now the first tribe in the United States to create an ombudsman program. This particular ombudsman program is for Mvskoke citizens who are not receiving quality treatment while living in a licensed, long-term care facility that resides within the Mvskoke Reservation. This includes nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family-care homes.
MCN Ombudsman Ghastin Harjo (Mvskoke), who is under adult protective services, is able to assist Mvskoke citizens with protection, and resolving issues within the long-term care facilities (LTC). According to Harjo, this program had started back in the 1980s, however not much had been done with the program until December of last year. Harjo’s lone position currently makes up the entire ombudsman department.
The MCN Ombudsman Program’s mission statement reads, “The mission of the Ombudsman Program is to improve the quality of life for all the Muscogee (Creek) Citizens living in long-term care facilities”.
Now a few months into the new year, Harjo has received a few submissions for the program. He is currently engaging in outreach efforts to spread awareness about the program’s services. This includes reaching out to nursing homes and becoming familiar with the communities that are home to Mvskoke citizens. Harjo finds this work rewarding.
“It feels like I’m giving back to the tribe and that I’m taking care of the elders,” Harjo said.
According to Harjo, in total the Muscogee (Creek) Nation jurisdiction is home to 88 facilities that qualify for ombudsman services.
Qualifications & Services
In order to utilize the ombudsman program services, each applicant must be an enrolled MCN citizen, they must be 18 years of age or older, and they must reside in a long-term care facility within the jurisdiction boundaries of the Nation. Relatives or friends with complaints about facility care mistreatment can call the ombudsman office to request an inquiry. These inquiries can look into complaints about specific facility employees, or the facilities themselves. This includes issues pertaining to resident rights, welfare, safety and health.
The program firmly states that long-term facility care residents’ rights are, “to be treated with care, dignity and respect, to be safe and free from abuse, to make your own decisions on your care, to decide who visits you and who you don’t want to see, free of retaliation for complaining and with assistance when moving into the facility.”
The program accepts complaints that are either written, made by phone call or by email. It is then up the ombudsman to take into account the full story, from both sides.
“Mostly I will be doing an investigation myself and usually I’ll ask the resident their allegations and I’ll get their side, then I’ll get the facility side then we’ll let both sides know what’s going to happen with that issue,” Harjo said. “Depending on how severe the case, if it’s like an abuse because facilities still have to follow the state guidelines that the state puts out. There’s an Oklahoma State Ombudsman that can take it further if needed like to the courts.”
After an investigation has been resolved, Harjo will then perform unannounced check ups on the facility formally in question. This is to make sure the citizen is comfortable and continues to avoid issues with their facility. According to Harjo, the tribe will be there to serve its elders.
“I just want to say that Creek Nation is not forgetting about the elders in the facility. I’m trying to create that bridge between them not being forgotten while in the facility, by trying to get to know them and talk to them, they just miss that communication with somebody,” Harjo said. “Hopefully I would bridge the gap and if they open up to me then maybe they’ll open up to different issues they have while in the facility.”
Harjo wants to implement cultural awareness and activities in these facilities in order to engage their Mvskoke residents. This includes food and music. “They miss going to church, listening to the Creek hymns, going to the grounds and listening to the music,” Harjo said.
Another potential event Harjo is looking into hosting is a drive called the “Long-term Care Family Drive” for Mvskoke citizens. The event would take in donated items like board games, activity kits, clothes and toiletries.
Any questions about the MCN Ombudsman Program can be answered by contacting 918-758-6834. Harjo can be contacted by email at Gharjo@muscogeenation.com. Requests for investigations into long-term care facilities can be made by phone or email at the aforementioned contacts.