Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an advocate for residents who live in licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The function of the Ombudsman is to ensure residents' rights are being maintained while living in the long-term care facility. The Ombudsman is also available to:
- Investigate and resolve complaints made by or for residents of long-term care facilities
- Educate consumers and long-term care providers about residents' rights and good care practices
- Promote community involvement through volunteer opportunities
- Provide information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights and legislative and policy issues
- Advocate for residents' rights and quality care in nursing homes, personal care, residential care and other long-term care facilities
- Promote the development of citizen organizations, family councils and resident councils.
Residents' Bill Of Rights:
As a resident, you have the right to:
- Be fully informed
- Remain in the facility
- Security for your possessions
- Participate in your own care
- Make independent choices
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Dignity, respect, and freedom
- Raise concerns and complaints
The Residents' Bill of Rights contain certain rights and privileges of nursing facility residents. Each resident of a long term care facility has the right to a dignified existence, to have choices, to make his or her own decisions. If a resident has been found incompetent by the State court, the rights to which they are entitled may be exercised by their legal guardian.
