Long Term Care Ombudsman

The Long Term Care Ombudsman acts as an advocate for residents of nursing homes, personal care and family care homes. Ombudsmen work to resolve problems and issues of individual residents by working directly with them and their family members.

Since 1978, the Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman program has served residents of long-term care facilities in all 120 Kentucky counties. Services of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman program are coordinated through the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency. The program also has oversight for 15 district programs affiliated with Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living. The program receives federal, state, and local funding and does not charge for services.

The Gateway Area Development District contracts with Legal Aid of the Bluegrass to provide these services in our region.

Eligibility

Any resident or individual representing a resident of a skilled nursing facility, personal care home or family care home in Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, or Rowan Counties. There is no charge for services provided by this program.

Services Offered within the Program

The responsibilities of the Long Term Care Ombudsman include identifying, investigating, and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of facility residents and providing information to residents regarding long term care services.

• Protecting the rights of all residents
• Identifying, investigating, and working to solve problems
• Providing regular friendly visits to residents
• Providing services to all residents
• Providing information & assistance to the community
• Monitoring government actions affecting residents
• Educating facilities and providers
• Providing technical support to develop resident and family councils in facilities