Mission Statement
Ombudsmen are concerned with the quality of care and the quality of life for those who live in long-term care facilities and are always attentive that residents live with the rights to which they are entitled and guaranteed. Ombudsmen are advocates for residents (persons who ensure that residents are treated properly). Ombudsmen have great passion and commitment to the residents of care facilities.
Examples
of When to Contact an Ombudsman
- If you are deciding how to care for an elderly person in your family who
has lost the ability to live on their own or at home. Many families face this
problem and look for care facilities. Ombudsman can help provide resouces during
that process.
- An elder you know is living in a facility and has problems
with the way she or he is treated. These problems may include staff who do
not listen or talk to the resident, poor medical treatment, lost or stolen
possessions, no food or activities that are familiar to the resident, problems
in communications with the facility, and many other types of problems. If you
are concerned about the senior in a facility and do not know if you should
contact an Ombudsman, you should call to find out what can be done to help
the resident. It is better to get help now than to let things get worse.
Would You Like To Become a Volunteer Ombudsman?
Becoming an Ombudsman is making a commitment to seniors living in long-term
care facilities. Being an Ombudsman is probably the most rewarding job you
will ever do! Volunteers who are bilingual are especially helpful because they
bring their cultural understanding and language skills to help residents feel
understood and comfortable in getting help. volunteer
sign-up
Role of the Ombudsman
In Long-Term Care Facilities
(places where elderly persons live outside the home for care)
About Our Purpose – Ombudsman, Inc.
Ombudsman, Inc. advocates for residents in long-term care facilities
(places where elderly persons live outside the home for care). We protect the
residents’ rights, support their dignity and privacy, address their concerns,
and help to resolve their problems. Our existence is mandated (required) by
the federal government and our access is guaranteed by the California Legislature.
Our services are confidential and anonymous. If you call for help now, we will
do our best to help your family or friend to resolve any problems and improve
their living conditions. It is better to get help now than to let things get
worse. We work with facilities with respect and tact to help the residents.
We can help elderly residents in facilities as well as family members and friends
who are concerned.
Services for Residents in Facilities (also Their Families and Friends)
· Ombudsmen are advocates for residents (persons who ensure that residents
are treated properly).
· Ombudsmen check the quality of the conditions of care, such as: meals,
financial problems, theft, communications, activities, residents' rights, therapies,
and medical care.
· Ombudsmen receive and resolve complaints, misunderstandings and grievances.
· Ombudsmen mediate (help to solve) problems and conflicts.
· Ombudsmen are State of California mandated (required) reporters of elder
abuse.
· Ombudsman, Inc. (the agency) is designated by the State of California
to receive reports from mandated reporters of elder abuse in long-term care facilities.
· Ombudsmen witness Advance Directives for Health Care. (They verify documents
that assign someone to make decisions for the resident’s health care).
· Ombudsmen give information to assist family and friends in selecting
long-term care facilities and assessing the level of care needed. Ombudsmen give
information on deficiencies and background of facilities.
How
can I help?