Long-term care (LTC) ombudsmen are advocates for resident rights. They help protect the quality of life and quality of care of anybody who lives in a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
Ombudsmen can be volunteers or paid employees of agencies that are independent of any long-term care facility. Services are free, confidential and available statewide.
If you have concerns or questions about the care of a person with a developmental disability who lives in a state supported living center, please call the Office of the Independent Ombudsman for State Supported Living Centers at 1-877-323-6466 or visit their website.
What Does an LTC Ombudsman Do?
Some of the ways LTC ombudsmen help nursing home and assisted living residents include:
- Listening to residents and family members when they have concerns or issues.
- Telling residents about their rights.
- Protecting resident health, safety, welfare and rights.
- Helping families learn about nursing homes and how to pay for them.
- Ombudsmen work to solve problems and make sure state regulations and laws protect residents.
How Do I Become an LTC Ombudsman?
People who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities may have little or no contact with the outside world. Many feel they lack control over their lives. A volunteer LTC ombudsman who visits regularly can be the highlight of a resident's day and ensure residents get good care.
If you have a passion for helping others, a caring spirit and a willingness to learn, we need you! Become an ombudsman and help improve the quality of life and care for residents in a facility near you. We provide training, tools and ongoing support.
The Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman is independent of the Texas Health and Human Services system. This ensures the state ombudsman and all program representatives advocate for resident interests. Ombudsmen work to solve individual problems and to change policy and law to protect residents.
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