Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs

Ombudsman Definition

The definition of Ombudsman describes an organization (business or government) that investigates complaints of administrative abuses.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Objectives

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (or LTCOP) is a federal advocacy program. Each state operates LTCOP though the state's Aging Department, area agencies on aging or other qualified organizations.

The states' Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs perform the following:

• receive and resolve complaints
• advocate for residents' rights - protects the health, safety, welfare, human and civil rights of long-term care residents.
• they informing residents and their families of their rights;
• provide information on residents needs/concerns to their families, facility staff and their community; and
• advocating for good individualized care.
  

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program investigates elder abuse complaints in long-term care facilities and elderly residential care facilities. These facilities include nursing homes, adult residential care facilities, and assisted living facilities.

Who are the Ombudsmen

Some state Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs are community-supported program and utilize volunteers as an integral part of the program. An ombudsman is a specially trained and certified advocate who has been approved by the state and given investigative authority under state law. The duties of an ombudsman include investigating and resolving complaints, visiting facilities, and acting as a mediator between family members, facility staff and residents.

The National Ombudsman Resource Center for Long Term Care provides support, technical assistance and training to State Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs. Consumers can also access their state's ombudsman program through the web site.

Who can use ombudsman’s services

• Residents who reside in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family care homes, or other long term care facilities;
• Relatives and friends of persons who live in nursing homes or other long term care facilities;
• Long term care facility staff members, caregivers, facility administrators, and employees with resident-related concerns;
• Individuals and families who are considering nursing home placement as a long term care option;
• The community-at-large; and
• Other persons or groups concerned about the rights and welfare of elders or residents of long term care facilities can utilize Long-Term Care Ombudsman services.

Reasons to contact the Office of the Ombudsman

In addition to their advocacy work, ombudsmen can also serve as valuable resources for residents and their families. Below are some reasons to contact your state's Office of Ombudsman:

• To Report suspected abuse (physical, mental or emotional abuse), neglect or exploitation of elders living in a nursing home or long term care facility;
• Get advice about how to select a nursing home and get answers about long term care facilities;
• To learn more about the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program;
• To report a problem or concern;
• To get answers to questions or concerns about quality of care;
• To get answers to questions or concerns about financial abuse ;
• To get information about facility services or standards;
• To explain how nursing homes are inspected;
• To get information about Medical coverage;
• To get information about Transfer or discharge.;
• To get information about Resident rights;
• Witnessing services for advanced directives
• Requesting an Ombudsman to attend a resident care plan meeting
• Requesting an Ombudsman to attend a resident or family council meeting
• To report nursing home abuse / elder abuse in nursing homes
• To help residents find services in the community instead of entering a nursing home;
• To be directed to a local legal services program if legal assistance is needed;

Filing Nursing Home Abuse Complaints

Complaints can be made by, or on behalf of, individual residents in long term care facilities. Complaints may be filed against a long term care facility's employees, service providers, guardians, or other persons in a position to threaten or interfere with the rights, health, safety, or welfare of a resident.

Complaints can range from emotional and/or physical abuse, inadequate services, to complete disregard of a resident’s individual rights.

Ombudsman services are free and confidential. The Ombudsman usually will protect the identity of complainants upon request and respects confidentiality.

Find a Long Term Care Ombudsman Program in your state:

• California Ombudsman Program
• Florida Ombudsman Services
• Illinois Long Term Care Ombudsmen
• New York State Office of Ombudsman
• Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Ombudsman Program

Related terms used to describe long term care ombudsman: nursing home ombudsman, ombudsman program, ombudsman association, office of ombudsman, etc.