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2007 Community Resource Guide
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Long Term Care Ombudsman |
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What is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Program?
The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, as
mandated by the Federal Older Americans Act, is intended to improve the
quality of life for people who live in licensed long-term care facilities.
Residents in long-term care facilities are guaranteed certain
rights by federal and state laws and regulations. The purpose of the program
is to protect and promote these rights in long-term care facilities and
assist in empowering residents to become self-advocates.
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What does an Ombudsman do?
An Ombudsman is a staff member or volunteer who listens to
concerns and questions and works with residents, families, staff, local, and
state agencies and other organizations to resolve problems or answer
questions. Your ombudsman will:
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Advocate for the rights of residents in long-term care
facilities |
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Provide an effective means for the resolution of concerns
about the quality of life in long-term care facilities |
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Work with residents, families, operators, and staff of
facilities to meet the needs and concerns of those who live there
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Monitor laws, regulations, and policies which affect those
who live in long-term care facilities |
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Provide public education to promote a better understanding
about the use of long-term care facilities |
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Help residents, family, staff, and operators of facilities
to establish a resident or family council |
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Who can use the Ombudsman program?
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Residents of nursing homes, boarding homes, adult family
homes, and veteran’s homes |
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Relatives and friends of residents in long-term care
facilities |
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Administrators and employees of long-term care facilities |
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Any group or individual concerned about the welfare of
residents of long-term care facilities |
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The community at-large |
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Why do residents and their families
need an Ombudsman?
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Many frail and vulnerable residents cannot speak up for
their needs and desires |
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Some residents are alone and have no close relatives or
regular visitors |
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Long-distance caregivers appreciate knowing someone is
looking out for their loved ones |
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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. Residents’ rights in a long-term care facility are, in
brief:
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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 |
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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 |
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To be transferred or discharged only after written notice
is given and only for increased medical needs, health and safety or
non-payment |
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To be encouraged to exercise your rights as a resident and
citizen; to complain and suggest without fear of coercion or retaliation |
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To manage your financial affairs, or, if this is delegated,
to receive regular accounting |
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To be free of mental and physical abuse and of chemical and
physical restraints |
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To participate in social, religious, and community
activities, as possible |
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To have your own clothing and possessions and be allowed to
use them as space permits |
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To have privacy for visits and telephone calls, and to send
and receive personal mail unopened |
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Contact the LTC Ombudsman Program
To use the Long Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman
Program, or to inquire about becoming a LTC Ombudsman, call
the State LTC Ombudsman Program at 1-800-562-6028 or at Skagit County
Community Action Agency, (360) 416-7585 or (360) 421-1080
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