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Long Term Care Ombudsman Protect Residents

Ombudsman means citizen representative. They investigate reported complaints of older persons or persons with disabilities, report findings and help achieve resolutions. The long term care ombudsman advocates for resident's rights, quality of life and care in long term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living, boarding homes, residential care homes and veterans homes.

The long term care ombudsman has the power, based on federal and state law, to protect the rights of resident's. Ombudsmen can investigate complaints and work with long term care facilities to respond to any concerns on residents behalf.

Residents have rights and they are vital to all residents. Without rights in nursing homes, assisted living and care homes, there would be resident abuse, neglect and poor care. Under the bill of rights every person is entitled to certain rights, whether the person is living in a nursing home, assisted living or living at home.

The resident's bill of rights are just as powerful and important as the bill of rights; rights of residents protect the health, safety, and welfare for all residents receiving care in long term care facilities.

The long term care ombudsman was mandated to protect resident's rights, family rights, resident council rights and family council rights. Resident council rights protect the well being of residents living in long term care facilities. Family council rights protect the rights of family in long term care facilities.

The ombudsman also offers free nursing home and assisted living information that can assist families in how to choose a long term care facility. The more information you have about a long term care facility, the better chance you have to choose a facility that will protect resident's rights, family rights and provide residents quality care.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Ombudsman responsibilities outlined in the Older Americans Act included:

• 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;
• Advocate for changes to improve residents’ quality of life and care.

Volunteer Ombudsmen can help residents and their families and friends understand and exercise rights that are guaranteed by law, both at the federal and state level.

The volunteer ombudsman program is looking for volunteer ombudsmen nationwide to protect residents' rights in long term care facilities. If you would like to volunteer your time to help others, contact your state ombudsman. Our grandparents, mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, and brothers and sisters need your help.

Steps to Connect With a Senior Care Facility

Send us your info

Below are nine senior care options that cover care facilities, independent living, and in-home care. Under each option, there is a short description outlining the care or service of the care option. Select the option that you feel best suits the needs of your loved one. If you're not sure, don't worry. It can be changed as you go through the process. Now that you have selected your care option-click the link "Select this option."



Speak with our advisor

As you complete the form, please read it carefully. The information you provide the facility or care agency is key to a successful placement. Note, if you don't have your loved one's physician's report, just put their diagnosis as you believe it to be. Also, make sure their monthly care budget is what you have selected. In the comments box, enter any information you think would be helpful to the facility or care agency — Submit the form.



Facility will review your info

If you requested the facilities or care agencies to call you, expect up to four calls over the next twenty-four hours. They will answer any questions you may have about your loved one's care needs. From that point, if you are satisfied, you can set up a tour with one or all of them. Be prepared with a physician's report during the visit so that you can have an idea of the cost of care. If you choose to go forward after your visit, the facility will set up a time to assess your loved one.

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Adult Day Care Center Image

Adult Day Care Centers

Adult day care centers focus on social interaction with adults and older persons. Adult day health care (ADHC) provides day care to adults with chronic medical conditions. Use our adult day care center placement and referral agency to find adult day care centers.

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Assisted Living Facility Image

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities provide seniors more companionship and some assistance in day-to-day living. Assisted living facilities come in all sizes. Our assisted living facility placement and referral agency will help seniors find the right private pay assisted living community.

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Continuing Care Community Image

Continuing Care Communities

Continuing care communities are a combination of memory care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. CCRC's are owned by private companies and staffed to provide a "continuum of care". There are three basic types of contracts for care in a CCRC.

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Hospice Care Facility Image

Hospice Care Facilities

Hospice care is more than a place of care, hospice is a unique kind of care for people with advanced illnesses. Hospice care is a specialized care that accepts dying as the final stage of life. Use our hospice care facility placement and referral agency to find hospice care facilities.

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Independent Living Community Image

Independent Living Communities

Independent living is simply any housing arrangement designed for seniors, generally those aged 55 and over. These communities are for seniors who need no care. Use our independent living community placement and referral agency to find independent living.

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In-Home Care Agency

In-Home Care Agencies

Home care and in-home care are sometimes referred to as home health care, home health and private duty. Our home care placement and referral agency will help clients find in-home care, home care, home health care and private duty home care close to you.

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Memory Care Facility

Memory Care Facilities

Memory care is a term that refers to specialized care provided by some facilities to help elder/seniors and other individuals affected by memory impairment. Use our memory care facility placement and referral agency to find private pay memory care facilities.

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Residential Care Home Image

Residential Care Homes

Residential Care Homes are also known as adult family homes, adult family care homes, care homes, residential care facilities and personal care homes. Our residential care home placement and referral agency will help seniors find the appropriate senior care home.

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Skilled Nursing Facility

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Skilled nursing facilities are normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. Nursing homes provide custodial care, which includes getting in and out of bed. Use our skilled nursing facility placement and referral agency to help you find the right facility.

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