Help for Seniors
Advocate Services
The Indiana Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is a program that provides advocacy and related services for customers of long term care services. Long term care settings include nursing facilities, residential care facilities, assisted living facilities, adult foster care homes and county operated residential care facilities.
The mission of the Ombudsman Program is to improve the quality of life and care for residents of long term care facilities. That mission is accomplished through investigation and resolution of individual complaints, education designed to inform and empower customers, system advocacy which includes legislation and public policy activities, promotion of community involvement in long term care, and other activities designed to improve long term care delivery and oversight.
The LTC Ombudsman:
• Receives, investigates, and attempts to resolve problems or complaints affecting residents of Long Term Care facilities.
• Answers questions and provides information and referral about Long Term Care and related services
• Coordinates efforts with other NWICA staff and/or other agencies and organizations concerned with Long Term Care, when appropriate.
Who Can Call The Ombudsman:
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Residents or potential residents of long term care facilities
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Relatives or friends of long term care residents
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Long term care administrators and employees
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Representatives of agencies and professional groups
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Members of community groups or citizens interested in improving long term care
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ANYONE!
Rights of Long Term Care Facility Residents:
When a person moves into a long term care facility they retain all their rights as a private citizen, plus, under federal and state law, they gain numerous other rights as a resident of the facility. Some of these rights, in abbreviated form, are listed below:
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Right to be informed about and exercise their rights
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Right to know about services and financial charges
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Right to participate in planning their care and treatment
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Right to refuse treatment
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Right to confidentiality of records
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Right to privacy
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Right to control their finances
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Right to freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
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Right to freedom from chemical and physical restraints
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Right to express grievances without fear of retaliation
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Rights pertaining to admissions, transfers, and discharges, including the right to appeal
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Right to communicate freely with persons of their choice
If you would like to learn more about these services, contact NWICA 2-1-1 or Information and Assistance at 1-800-826-7871.