Senior Rights and Advocacy / Ombudsman
What is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman?
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman helps residents in long-term
care facilities maintain their legal rights, control over their
own lives, and personal dignity. Long-term care facilities
include nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
What are the major responsibilities of the Ombudsman?
Receive and resolve complaints made by or for residents of
long-term care facilities.
Educate consumers about long-term care providers
about residents’ rights and good care practices.
Provide
information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term
care facilities and services, residents’ rights and legislative
policy issues.
Who can contact the Long-Term Care
Ombudsman Program Coordinator?
Anyone may
contact the Ombudsman. A concern or complaint may come from the
resident, residents’ family, friend or even long-term care
facility. The Ombudsman is required to keep all information
confidential. There is no charge for Ombudsman services.
Residents’ Rights
Residents’ Rights
are guaranteed by the Federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. The
law required nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of
each resident.” The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law Protects the
following rights of nursing home residents:
• Right to Information
• Right to
Complain
• Right to Participate in One’s Own Care
• Right
to Privacy and Confidentiality
• Rights During Transfers and
Discharges
• Right to Dignity, Respect and Freedom
• Right
to Visits
• Right to Make Independent Choices
To learn more, contact:
Stacie Prinkey, Program Coordinator - Ombudsman Senior
Care
301-475-4200, ext. *1055
For more information view the
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Brochure
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