What is a Long-Term-Care Ombudsman?
A Long-Term-Care Ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes as well as board and care homes, including assisted living facilities. Ombudsman provide information about how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. They are trained to resolve problems. Ombudsman can assist with complaints by working directly with the facility staff to solve the problems or by making referrals to the appropriate agency. Any information shared with the ombudsman is confidential unless permission is given to use the residents or complainants name. The word Ombudsman is Swedish for citizen representative. The ombudsman is not a staff person of the facility; he or she is resource for consumers residents, their families and friends who need help navigating the complicated long-term care system. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and is the resident voice in the long-term care system. The D
