Understanding What a Long Term Care Ombudsman Does

If you need to find out how to choose a facility for long term care, and how to get good quality care, then contacting your local Ombudsman is a good place to get help. On the Internet you can go to ltcombudsman.org to use a locator to find the ombudsman in your area.

You can also contact the Administration on Aging, which is the agency that administers the Ombudsman Program. The website is at aoa.dhhs.gov

Sometimes the need for long term care comes up unexpectedly, and having information from your local ombudsman will help you know where to start looking for a home that will suit the circumstances.

Knowing your local ombudsman can be helpful in other ways too. A long term care ombudsman resolves complaints made by residents who are in long term care facilities.

The ombudsman can advise the senior and the family caregivers about the person's rights and provide education about what constitutes good care. Part of the ombudsman's duties are also to provide information about nursing homes, board and care homes, and assisted living other facilities to seniors and caregivers.

When you discuss your issues or questions with an ombudsman the information is confidential unless you give the ombudsman permission otherwise.