A long-term care ombudsman is an advocate ensuring the rights, dignity and wellbeing of individuals living in long-term care, which includes skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and adult family homes. An ombudsman educates residents on resident rights issues; seeks to empower residents to speak on their own behalf; and provides investigation, advocacy and mediation to resolve resident issues and complaints at the lowest possible level.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a volunteer-based, federally mandated program, and it would not be successful without the dedication of local volunteers who provide regular visits to residents living in long-term care facilities in Southwest Washington.
What does an ombudsman do?
An ombudsman listens to concerns and questions and works with residents, families and staff; local and state agencies; and other organizations to resolve problems or answer questions. Your ombudsman will:
• Advocate for the rights of residents in long-term care facilities
• Provide an effective means for the resolution of concerns about the quality of life in long-term care facilities
• Work with residents, families, operators and facility staff to meet the needs and concerns of those who live there
• Monitor laws, regulations and policies that affect those who live in long-term care facilities
• Provide public education to promote a better understanding about the use of long-term care facilities
• Help residents, family, staff and operators of facilities to establish a resident or family council
Who can use the ombudsman program?
• Residents of nursing homes, boarding homes, adult family homes and veterans’ homes
• Relatives and friends of residents in long-term care facilities
• Administrators and employees of long-term care facilities
• Any group or individual concerned about the welfare of residents of long-term care facilities
• The community at-large
Why do residents and their families need an ombudsman?
Many frail and vulnerable residents cannot speak up for their needs and desires. Some residents are alone and have no close relatives or regular visitors to observe how they are being cared for or to advocate on their behalf. A designated ombudsman gives long-distance caregivers in particular peace of mind by ensuring someone is looking out for their loved one’s needs.
Know Your Rights
A facility should care for its residents in a manner and in an environment that promotes maintenance or enhancement of each resident’s quality of life. A resident should have a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment to live in.
In brief, residents’ rights in a long-term care facility are:
• To be informed of your rights, the rules and policies of the facility, and to be told of all services available and all costs, including those charges covered or not included in the basic rate
• To be informed of your health condition, to participate in planning care and treatment or refuse any treatment, and to have your personal and medical records treated as confidential
• To be transferred or discharged only after written notice is given and only for increased medical needs, health and safety or non-payment
• To be encouraged to exercise your rights as a resident and citizen; to complain and suggest without fear of coercion or retaliation
• To manage your financial affairs, or, if this is delegated, to receive regular accounting
• To be free of mental and physical abuse and of chemical and physical restraints
• To participate in social, religious and community activities, as possible
• To have your own clothing and possessions and be allowed to use them as space permits
• To have privacy for visits and telephone calls, and to send and receive personal mail unopened
For more information about the ombudsman program, or to request an application and background check forms to become one, please contact Neil Degerstedt at 360-992-4076.
Additional information can be found at waombudsman.org, or helpingelders.org/long-term-care-ombudsman-program/
Source: Area Agency on
Aging & Disabilities of SW Washington
