Ombudsmen identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents in long term care facilities, including adult foster care, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. Also serve as advocates for residents in long term care facilities regarding resident rights, quality of care, quality of life, and access to service.

Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman | Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Programs that offer an interactive decision support process that helps individuals in need of long term care and their families understand their strengths, needs, preferences and unique circumstances and weigh the pros and cons of available alternatives. The consultation includes a discussion of the factors to consider when making long term care decisions, information about the range of long term care support options available in their community (such as personal care, transportation and medication management) and resources that can help them pay for services. The program also provides decision support to help identify next steps in the process and help in connecting with services, if needed. The service is generally available to older adults and adults of any age who have a disability; can be of benefit to people using their own resources to pay for services; and may be provided over the telephone or in person (at home, at an agency, in a hospital, at a rehabilitation or nursing facility or in another setting of the person's choosing). The objective of the program is to allow people to live as independently as possible in the setting of their choice.

Long Term Care Options Counseling

Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals to help them establish eligibility for or obtain needed services when they have been denied benefits or services for which they are eligible, when they need assistance to communicate their needs to a service provider or to otherwise effectively represent themselves, or when they have a complaint about a service. Individual advocacy attempts to reach equitable settlements without resorting to litigation and seeks to meet individual needs without attempting to change social institutions.

Individual Advocacy

Programs that investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of nursing facilities, residential care homes, assisted living facilities and other supervised living facilities for older adults. The program also promotes policies and practices that improve the quality of life, health, safety, welfare and rights of residents; monitors laws, regulations and policies that affect those who live in long-term care facilities; provides the public with information about long-term care options; and promotes the development of consumer organizations concerned about long-term care. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs

Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing to work on a voluntary basis without remuneration as advocates who intercede on behalf of individuals and/or groups to ensure that they receive the benefits and services to which they are entitled and to investigate complaints against corporations, universities, nonprofit organizations, government entities and non-governmental organizations that may be infringing on the rights of individuals. Volunteers in this position may help patients and family members investigate and solve problems with health care providers; advocate for the best interests of individuals with disabilities; provide information and assistance that empowers victims of abuse or other types of crimes to act for themselves (and, if necessary, intercede on their behalf); provide support for crime victims in court proceedings; and serve as advocates for other vulnerable populations.

Advocacy/Ombudsman Volunteer Opportunities

Provides resources for people moving out from a nursing home and back into the community. Offers help to understand the process, plan the move, apply for assistance, relearn independent living skills and find additional resources.

Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman | Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Ability360 Reintegration Nursing Home to Community Services | Ability360 Reintegration Nursing Home to Community Services