What is the Long-Term
Care Ombudsman Program? The Pueblo Long-Term
Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of skilled nursing homes, and
licensed assisted living residences. The authority of the long-term care
ombudsman program comes from the Older Americans Act, as well as from the Older
Coloradans Act. The primary purpose of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is
to promote and protect the residents rights guaranteed these residents under
federal and state law. We achieve this
mission with a network of local offices across the state, which recruit, train,
and manage teams of certified ombudsmen. Staff and volunteer ombudsmen visit
long-term care facilities throughout the state to ensure residents rights are
being upheld. Certified Long-Term
Care Ombudsmen are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in
situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer and
discharge, abuse, and other aspects of resident dignity and rights. Ombudsman
services are free, confidential and resident directed. Who Can Use the
Ombudsman Program? Residents of skilled nursing homes and
licensed assisted living residences Relatives and friends of residents in licensed
long-term care facilities such as Assisted Living residences or licensed
residential group homes Any group or individual concerned about the
welfare of residents of long-term care facilities Anyone can call the Ombudsman Program at
303-862-3524 Some Reasons Why
People Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Violations of rights privacy issues, loss of dignity
issues, poor staff attitudes, emotional and verbal abuse, etc. Problems with transfers and discharges improperly discharged, service fees
not disclosed, refused readmission, Medicaid discrimination, etc. Problems with care call lights not being answered,
problems with receiving medications, poor hygiene, etc. Ombudsman Contact Information: Phone number: 719-583-6123 Editors Note: This article was submitted by Tara Morrow,
SRDA Deputy Director. For more information, contact the SRDA Active Adult
Center at 719-554-8900.