Got Questions about Senior Care? Ask a Long Term Care Ombudsman

When people are thinking of moving to a long term care facility they ask "Where do you go for help?" , "Who will answer your questions?", "How do you proceed if something just doesn't seem right?" For answers you can call your local ombudsman. This person is there to help.

The ombudsman is a person who visits the local long term care homes, talks with the residents, investigates complaints, resolves safety issues, and is an advocate for quality care. Counseling and assistance for families are available from the local ombudsman. Referrals to resources and community support groups as well as information about local nursing homes are some more services provided by an ombudsman.

I went to the website for my local ombudsman in San Luis Obispo County, California, but you can search for an ombudsman in your area by going to ltcombudsman.org.

The page for local services in my area said "Long Term Care Ombudsman Services are available to help. Give us a call."

When friends and acquaintances call me to ask what to do involving long term care for their parents I refer them to the local ombudsman. In San Luis Obispo the number is (805) 785-0132, and the office is located at 3232 S. Higuera St., #101 B, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

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.