American Society on Aging

Description

Communicate, Advocate, Resolve, Educate CARE is the operative word. Share your strenght - Be the eyes, ears and voice of nursing home residents.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a federally mandated program providing advocacy services to residents in long-term care facilities. An ombudsman is a specially trained and certified individual, either volunteer or staff, who advocates for quality care in nursing and assisted living facilities. An ombudsman provides information to residents and family about rights and procedures by visiting assigned nursing home 2 hours a week and helps identify additional resources in or on behalf of nursing facility residents; and works with residents, families, friends and facility staff to resolve complaints and difficulties. Resources of the Texas Department on Aging and various other state and local regulatory agencies are available to help resolve complaints and concerns.

With 5 staff and over 70 volunteers, this program is responsible for 72 nursing facilities and over 280 assisted living facilities in Harris County. Education is a mandate of this program, and in addition to training volunteers, in-services are offered to long-term care staff on topics such as identifying and preventing abuse and neglect to resident rights issues.