Each of the 50 states has a federally-funded
advocate for people living in nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, and board and care homes. These advocates are
officially known as Ombudsmen (Ombudsman: a person who
officially investigates, reports on, and helps settle complaints).
They are dedicated to helping patients, families, and other
caregivers resolve issues and complaints with long term care
facilities.
The Administration on Aging (AoA) sponsors and supports a
nationwide network of more than 8500 trained volunteer long term
care ombudsmen. Working with more than 1,000 trained staff across
the country they handle resident and family complaints and work
with residences to improve the long term care system.
While ombudsmen do not have the authority to force changes, they
do have the authority to bring everyone involved in a dispute or
difficulty together. Trained as mediators and advocates, with no
allegiance to either "side," they can often help find solutions to
issues that initially appeared impossible to resolve.
All ombudsmen are trained and prepared to address conflicts or
concerns about:
Violation of a residents' rights or dignity;
Physical, verbal or mental abuse, lack of services necessary to
maintain a residents' physical and mental health, or
unreasonable confinement of a resident;
Inappropriate use of chemical or physical restraints;
Poor quality of care, including inadequate personal hygiene and
slow response to requests for assistance;
Improper transfer or discharge of a patient;
Any resident concern about quality of care or quality of life.
An experienced ombudsman, whether volunteer or
paid, is also a real authority on the facilities on his or her
roster. Because they visit these facilities regularly, they are
well acquainted with the administration and care staff. They know
about the facility's history, and they are among the first to know
of any changes that may be about to occur. Because the ombudsman
office collects and analyzes consumer complaint information, they
have insights not available on the Medicare or state websites.
This is important information for anyone looking for the right
care facility.
Any resident, individual or group with an interest in a nursing
home, assisted living or board and care (residential care, foster
care, etc.) facility can use the services of the long term care
ombudsman without charge. It's easy enough to get started with a
simple phone call.
Find your local long term care ombudsman here
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