Department of Health
and Human Services
Administration on Aging
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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:
Disclaimer: References
from this web page or from any of the information services sponsored by
AoA to any non-governmental entity, product, service or information does
not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Administration on
Aging or any of its employees. AoA is not responsible for the contents of
any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server. Although
our page includes links to sites including or referencing good collections
of information, AoA does not endorse ANY specific products or services provided
by public or private organizations. By using this site, the user takes full
responsibility for any use of these links.
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