1. Office Of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
Enhancing the quality of life
and the quality of care for adults receiving long-term care

2. 1978 Congress establishes LTC ombudsman under Title III-B of the Older Americans Act

3. 1989 LTC Ombudsman program expands to consumers of home care services

4. Confidentiality Identity of client & related data
Identity of complainant & related data

5. Not Mandated Reporters
Whoa! Seriously??
Why??
“Sylvia, here comes Ethel, that volunteer from the Ombudsman Program. You can tell her anything and she can’t tell anyone”

6. Who Contacts the Ombudsman?
Family/Friends
Consumers
Provider/Staff
Social Service Staff & Others
Unknown/unwilling to identify

7. Examples of complaints
Sexual abuse
Sexual identity
Care issues
Family issues
Visits
Involuntary discharges
Not knowing rights of appeal and other information

8. Policies needed for prevention of sexual violence
Person – centered planning (Albert Lea)
How to interview
Triggers for people with dementia
Accessible, safe entry points for
Immigrants
People with disabilities
Specific cultural communities
People who are GLBT

9. Policies continued Data collection Mandated Training
Review of what goes wrong
Dissect the incidents
Physical spaces
Privacy issues
Generational issues

10. “Never doubt for a moment that a small, committed, group of citizens can change the world. Indeed- it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead