Elder
Rights & Resources
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
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Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates
for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted
living facilities and similar adult care facilities. Since the
program began 30 years ago, thousands of paid and volunteer ombudsmen
working in every state and three other jurisdictions have made
a dramatic difference in the lives of long-term care residents.
LTC Ombudsmen advocate on behalf of individuals and groups of
residents, provide information to residents and their families
about the long-term care system, and work to effect systems changes
on a local, state and national level. They provide an on-going
presence in long-term care facilities, monitoring care and conditions
and providing a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves.
Begun in 1972 as a demonstration program, the Ombudsman Program
today is established in all states under the Older Americans Act,
which is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA). Local
ombudsmen work on behalf of residents in hundreds of communities
throughout the country.
One thousand paid and 14,000 volunteer staff (8,000 certified)
investigate over 260,000 complaints each year. They provide information
to more than 280,000 people on a myriad of topics including how
to select and pay for a long-term care facility.
Ombudsman Responsibilities
Ombudsman responsibilities outlined in the Older Americans Act
include:
- identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by or on
behalf of residents;
- provide information to residents about long-term care services;
- represent the interests of residents before governmental agencies
and seek administrative, legal and other remedies to protect
residents;
- analyze, comment on and recommend changes in laws and regulations
pertaining to the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents;
- educate and inform consumers and the general public regarding
issues and concerns related to long-term care and facilitate
public comment on laws, regulations, policies and actions;
- promote the development of citizen organizations to participate
in the program;
- provide technical support for the development of resident
and family councils to protect the well-being and rights of
residents; and
- advocate for changes to improve residents’ quality of
life and care.
Resident’s Rights
Ombudsmen help residents and their families and friends understand
and exercise rights that are guaranteed by law, both at the federal
level and in many states. Residents have the right to:
· be treated with respect and dignity;
- be free from chemical and physical restraints;
- manage their own finances;
- voice grievances without fear of retaliation;
- associate and communicate privately with any person of their
choice;
- send and receive personal mail;
- have personal and medical records kept confidential;
- apply for state and federal assistance without discrimination;
- be fully informed prior to admission of their rights, services
available and all charges; and
- be given advance notice of transfer or discharge.
For more information on the LTC Ombudsman program, please
go to AoA's Professionals section of the web site.
Other Resources:
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References from this web page or from any of the information services
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