Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

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Overview Educating, Empowering and Advocating for Long-Term Care Residents 

The Ombudsman Program is an effective advocate and resource for older adults and people with disabilities who live in nursing homes, assisted living, and other licensed adult care homes. Ombudsmen help residents understand and exercise their rights to good care in an environment that promotes and protects their dignity and quality of life.

Ombudsmen:

  • Advocate on behalf of residents to assure rights are not violated, identifying, investigating and working towards resolution of resident complaints.
     
  • Mediate among residents, family members, and staff towards achieving mutually beneficial solutions to the issues they are experiencing in long term care facilities.
     
  • Educate residents, families, facility staff, and community about issues in long term care and specific issues they are experiencing in facilities.
     
  • Refer complaints to the New York State Department of Health or other appropriate agencies when resolution through the Ombudsman program is not achievable.


Contact Claudette Royal, the New York State Ombudsman.
 

Your Rights

Your Rights as a Nursing Home Resident in New York State
Resident Rights, Protections, and Responsibilities in Certified Adult Care Facilities
Long Term Care Residents Living with HIV and Members of the LGBTQIA+ Bill of Rights

How Ombudsmen Help

'A Good Listening Ear'

"They have given a good listening ear" and "interacted with the residents on a very positive level," says Andrea of Plainview, New York about her experience working with Ombudsmen from the NYS Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). Watch and listen to her testimonial below. 

Learn More About the Ombudsman Program

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: You Have a Voice

Under the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. Each state has an Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Office), headed by a full-time State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Ombudsman) who directs the program statewide. Across the nation, staff and thousands of volunteers are designated by State Ombudsmen as representatives to directly serve residents.

See the Statistics
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Fact Sheet

This fact sheet reviews how the Ombudsman program advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities, and other similar adult care facilities. Ombudsman programs work to resolve problems individual residents face and effect change at the local, state, and national levels to improve quality of life and care.

Get The Facts

Visit Our Volunteer Spotlight Page

The New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) hosted by Family Service League (FSL) recognizes volunteer ombudsmen in Suffolk County. These individuals dedicate their time and talents to help long-term care facility residents understand and exercise their rights to quality care. To learn more about volunteering for LTCOP, visit https://aging.ny.gov/ombudsman. 

Support Services
For Residents and Families
Advocacy

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) is a federal advocacy program dedicated to protecting people living in long-term care facilities. In New York State, the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman is an independent office administratively housed in the New York State Office for the Aging.

Service

The State Ombudsman supervises Regional Ombudsman Coordinators who serve all communities throughout the state. Regional Ombudsman programs are sponsored by non-profit organizations, independent living centers and area agencies on aging.

Dedication

The heart of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is its corps of specially trained and certified citizen-volunteer ombudsmen. Many volunteers are retired professionals from various fields. These dedicated Ombudsmen spend an average of two to four hours a week in each of their assigned facilities, advocating for the residents.

Information for Families

Contact Us

Become a Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers to serve as certified Ombudsmen to improve the quality of care and quality of life for New Yorkers who live in long-term care facilities. Find an Ombudsman near you to become a volunteer.

Volunteer
New York State Ombudsman Program

The New York State Ombudsman Program supervises the coordinators and is here to help with understanding the program and connecting you with help. Contact the office for help or concerns.

Contact

The 2021 LTCOP Annual Report

This report provides an overview of NYS LTCOP program operations, advocacy efforts, and the focus of the program for the upcoming year.

Annual Report Archives