{"id":355771,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/elder\/elder-care-law\/what-is-the-long-term-care-ombudsman-program.html"},"modified":"2026-07-30T00:39:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T05:39:00","slug":"what-is-the-long-term-care-ombudsman-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/elder-care-law\/what-is-the-long-term-care-ombudsman-program.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">What Is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program?<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            July 30, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <p>The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a federally funded system that advocates for residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other adult care homes. It investigates complaints, protects residents\u2019 rights, and works with agencies to address issues like wrongful eviction, poor quality of life, and elder abuse. Each state\u2019s ombudsman office operates independently to ensure residents receive safe, respectful, and lawful care.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) is federally funded. An amendment to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/what-is-elder-law\/what-is-the-older-americans-act.html\">Older Americans Act<\/a>\u00a0(OOA) created it.<\/p>\n<p>Each state has an office of the state long-term care ombudsman program. They are tasked with preserving the well-being and rights of residents statewide. This includes investigating and resolving complaints on behalf of residents of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nursing facilities<\/li>\n<li>Assisted living facilities<\/li>\n<li>Board and care facilities<\/li>\n<li>Other adult care homes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An LTC ombudsman serves as an advocate for adult care residents. They work with law enforcement and other area agencies to ensure your loved one receives good care.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"ai-message-body\">\n<div>\n<div id=\"njmKB2nmp7QviL1UyjnJE-content-0\">\n<p>This article outlines how the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program protects adult\u2011care residents. Learn how the program investigates complaints, protects the rights of residents, and promotes safer, more effective facilities.<\/p>\n<hr \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you have concerns about your older loved one&#8217;s care at a long-term care facility, you have options beyond the ombudsman program. An elder law attorney can explain your options and address issues the ombudsman cannot resolve. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/elder-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find an attorney near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Purpose of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program<\/h2>\n<p>In 1972, the federal government funded ombudsperson programs in five states. In 1978, the federal government\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ltcombudsman.org\/uploads\/files\/support\/history-and-role-updated.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">required all states to implement ombudsman programs.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ombudsman services include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Resolving complaints made by residents against long-term care providers and facility staff<\/li>\n<li>Informing nursing home residents on whether they qualify for Medicaid or Medicare services<\/li>\n<li>Investigating quality of care for residents of long-term care facilities<\/li>\n<li>Helping create family council and citizen advocacy groups to combat elder abuse<\/li>\n<li>Representing the interests of residents before government agencies and other organizations<\/li>\n<li>Seeking administrative, legal, and other remedies to protect residents&#8217; health, safety, and welfare<\/li>\n<li>Providing information on laws that affect the health and safety of adult care residents<\/li>\n<li>Holding caregivers responsible for elder abuse and neglect<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ombudsman services do not include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Participating in investigations or formal resolution processes<\/li>\n<li>Overturning any decisions of existing dispute resolution or appellate bodies<\/li>\n<li>Compromising the neutrality of the Ombudsman&#8217;s Office<\/li>\n<li>Mandating residential health care facility policies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Ombudspeople Investigations of Complaints<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/acl.gov\/about-acl\/administration-aging\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Administration on Aging<\/a>\u00a0is an agency of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/a>. This administration works to carry out the OOA&#8217;s laws and requirements.<\/p>\n<p>They keep track of ombudsperson investigations and complaints. Complaints are usually filed by adult care residents or their family members. Ombudsperson program staff and volunteers also visit long-term care facilities.<\/p>\n<p>In 2017, ombudsman programs visited\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/acl.gov\/programs\/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse\/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">68% of all U.S. nursing homes and 30% of all board and care facilities<\/a>. Ombudsman programs worked to resolve about\u00a0201,460 complaints\u00a0in 2017. About 73% of these complaints were resolved to the satisfaction of the resident or complainant.<\/p>\n<p>The most common resident complaints involve:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wrongful eviction<\/li>\n<li>Unanswered requests for assistance<\/li>\n<li>Lack of respect shown to residents<\/li>\n<li>Poor quality of life in a care facility<\/li>\n<li>Issues with medication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Ombudspeople as Advocates<\/h2>\n<p>The OOA requires ombudspersons\u00a0to act as advocates\u00a0for long-term care residents.<\/p>\n<p>Common forms of advocacy include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Procedural advocacy<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ltcombudsman.org\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Coordinating with each other<\/a>\u00a0and with other government agencies to better respond to residents&#8217; needs<\/li>\n<li><strong>Issue Advocacy<\/strong>:\u00a0Identifying complaint trends to notify government agencies, care facilities, and the public of these trending concerns<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legislative advocacy<\/strong>:\u00a0Analyzing state and federal laws and regulations on behalf of adult care residents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Ombudsperson Independence and Controversies<\/h2>\n<p>Long-term care ombudsperson programs are independent. They can act on behalf of adult care residents without interference.<\/p>\n<p>Most ombudsperson programs exist within a state&#8217;s\u00a0Department of Aging. There have been many controversies around ombudsman programs in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>In 2011, Florida&#8217;s governor allegedly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/miami\/news\/feds-probing-ombudsman-resignation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">forced the resignation of the state&#8217;s long-term care ombudsman<\/a>. This was due to a contentious relationship between the two. This led to a state Senate hearing and a federal investigation.<\/p>\n<p>In 2012, California passed a law strengthening the independence of the state&#8217;s ombudspersons. This law was due to complaints of an inability to disagree with other state officials&#8217; views.<\/p>\n<p>The change in the law requires California&#8217;s ombudsperson program to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Develop an annual advocacy report<\/li>\n<li>Reestablish an inactive advocacy council<\/li>\n<li>Maintain an updated website for adult care residents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Need More Help? Talk to an Attorney<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconsumervoice.org\/get_help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find contact information for your state&#8217;s ombudsperson program<\/a>\u00a0to learn more. Signs are usually posted at adult care facilities. These signs should provide the contact information for your local ombudsman.<\/p>\n<p>If you have questions about your rights under the Older Americans Act, consult an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/what-is-elder-law\/what-does-an-elder-law-attorney-do.html\">older adult law attorney<\/a> for legal advice tailored to you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/elder-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FindLaw\u2019s Attorney Directory<\/a> can get you started. Enter your city or ZIP code for a list of qualified legal advisors near you. Because state laws are relevant, your attorney should be licensed in your state. Your search results will also show important details about potential lawyers, like ratings and whether they offer free case evaluations.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" 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class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Situations that involve a breach of rights usually require a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer will enforce legal protections to stop abuse or neglect\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Get legal help if benefits are denied, a facility restricts rights, or a loved one\u2019s capacity is in question<\/span>\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get\u00a0tailored\u00a0advice\u00a0and ask your legal questions.\u00a0Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n       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