Thought you might like to see Betty Berry’s article about the Ombudsman Program in today’s Star.
Q: I recently visited someone in a nursing facility and noticed a poster providing contact information for the ombudsman. I don’t know what an ombudsman does and what, if any, organization is involved.
A: The program you are asking about is the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. It is a nationwide nonprofit organization that helps ensure quality care for residents of skilled nursing and assisted-living care facilities.
The word ombudsman is derived from a Swedish word and generally means a friend from the community. The long-term-care ombudsman is a specially trained and certified individual who advocates for quality care for the elderly residents in care facilities.
In Ventura County, ombudsmen are assigned to specific facilities and are on the premises on a weekly basis. Currently the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of Ventura County has ombudsmen in 228 facilities that are home to more than 7,000 elders.
The program derives its authority from the Older Americans Act and the staff and volunteers are certified by the California Department of Aging. To qualify, an individual must complete 36 hours of initial training, 15 hours of field service and 12 hours of continuing education annually.
The ombudsman’s chief role is to ensure that residents of long-term-care facilities are getting the services they are entitled to. The ombudsman promotes better communication among all parties serving the residents, mediates for better care, monitors conditions of care and tries to find solutions to complaints and, if necessary, bring unresolved problems to the attention of the appropriate agency.
In addition, the program offers various services to residents’ families and the community. Prior to a family placing a loved one in a care facility, the ombudsman program offers counseling. The sessions include information about types of facilities and what options are available. This service continues after placement with family support groups.
One of the most important services is investigating and resolving complaints made by either the resident or the family. The ombudsman also informs residents about residents’ rights and provides information about services available.
All services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For information about this program, call 656-1986.
Sylvia Taylor-Stein
Executive Director
Long Term Care Services of Ventura County, Inc.,
2021 Sperry Avenue Suite 35
Ventura, CA 93003
T: 805.656.1986 ext 13
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