About the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Area Agency on Aging believes all individuals living in long-term care facilities have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and receive quality care. To reach the Ombudsman office for the AAA9 service area, please call 330-364-3465 or 800-967-0615.
By law, residents of long-term care facilities have rights—and it's the responsibility of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to make sure those rights are protected. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can aid in protecting rights such as:
- To be free from physical, verbal, mental and emotional abuse
- To have prompt responses to all reasonable requests and questions
- To participate in decisions affecting your life and your care
- To be free of chemical and physical restraints, except under close supervision of a physician
- To confidential treatment of personal and medical records
Ombudsman Brochure
How We Serve You
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program staff offers assistance in the following areas:
- Complaint Investigation: The Ombudsmen investigates and works to resolve any care complaints including food service, inadequate hygiene, abuse and neglect, and discharge.
- Consumer Advocacy: The Ombudsmen educates the community on long-term care issues. They also provide information and problem-solving assistance relating to Medicaid and Medicare as well as other state and federal benefits.
- Long-Term Care Selection Assistance: The Ombudsmen provide valuable information on nursing home, adult care facility or assisted living facility selection.
- Transition Coordination: The Ombudsmen assist residents transition from the nursing home to a community setting utilizing HOME Choice resources.
File a Complaint to the Ombudsmen
Become a Volunteer Ombudsman
A critical component of the Ombudsman program is our volunteers who assist in monitoring the quality of long-term care services throughout the area. Ombudsman volunteers maintain a visible presence in long-term care facilities by visiting, talking with the residents and their families, observing conditions and resolving simple complaints. Training sessions for volunteers are held routinely and cover a wide variety of topics including resident rights, aging sensitivity, and the long-term care system overview.
Become a Volunteer Ombudsman
Updated: 2-21-2024