Nursing Home Concerns -
Long Term Care Ombudsman
Program
Protecting the Rights
of Older Persons Who Live in Long Term Care Facilities
Mandated by the Federal Older
Americans Act and the Illinois Act on Aging,
the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program protects and promotes the rights
and quality of life for people who reside in long term care facilities
(nursing homes). This is done through regional
ombudsmen who
have a hands–on working relationship with the residents and staff of
the facilities within their program areas.
Long Term Care Ombudsmen
protect, defend and advocate for residents by...
- Informing residents and their families of
their rights;
- Resolving complaints;
- Providing information on residents
needs/concerns to their families, facility staff and their
community; and
- Advocating for good individualized care.
The Ombudsman program
is available to...
- Residents* of any long term care
facility;
- Friends and relatives of persons who live in
long term care facilities;
- Long term care facility staff members and
administrators with resident-related concerns;
- Individuals and families who are considering
nursing home placement as a long term care option;
- The community-at-large; and
- Other interested groups concerned about the
welfare of residents of long term care facilities.
* The Illinois Department on Aging defines a resident as a
person 60 or older who is either a current resident, a prospective
resident, or a former resident of a long term care facility.
When contacted, an
Ombudsman will...
- Listen to resident and family concerns;
- Keep all information confidential;
- Involve the resident and/or family in the
investigation and resolution plan; and
- Seek to resolve problems within the facility.
Reasons to contact
the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program...
- To report a problem or concern;
- To seek information about long term care
facilities;
- To learn more about Illinois' Long Term Care
Ombudsman Program; or
- To get answers to questions about...
- Facility services or standards;
- Medical coverage;
- Resident rights; and/or
- Transfer or discharge.
The local agency that
provides regional ombudsman services in our 10 county service area is
Alternatives for the Older Adult, Inc. The Regional Ombudsman is Kathy
Kopsack.
(see contact information
below)
Alternatives for the
Older Adult
1518 5th Avenue
Moline, Illinois 61265
1-800-798-0988 or (309) 277-0167
Web Site: www.4olderadults.org
The Long Term Care
Ombudsman program uses both paid and volunteer staff. Volunteers
receive training and are supervised by the paid staff. To become a
volunteer in the long term care ombudsman program contact the volunteer
coordinator at Alternatives for the Older Adult.:
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