Ohio’s Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Paid and volunteer staff work to resolve complaints about services, help people select a provider and offer information about benefits and consumer rights.
Ombudsmen do not “police” nursing homes and home health agencies. Instead, they work with providers, residents, their families and other representatives to resolve problems and concerns. Ombudsmen are advocates who provide a voice to the needs and preferences of clients. Ombudsmen link residents with services or agencies, offer advice on selecting long-term care providers, inform consumers about their rights and provide information and assistance with benefits and insurance.
Get Help
Twelve Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman Programs safeguard consumers of care services in their areas. Click here to find the program serving your community or call the state office at 1-800-282-1206 for assistance.
Looking for information about a long-term care facility? The Long-Term Care Consumer Guide is an interactive resource that includes information about nursing homes and residential care facilities in Ohio, such as size, location, services offered, customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, performance measures and more.
The Ombudsman's office also supports BenefitsCheckUp and Ohio Benefit Bank, two resources that can help consumers identify benefits for which they may qualify and, in some cases, apply for them.
Looking for help for yourself or a loved one outside of Ohio? Find Long-term Care Ombudsman programs in other states.
Need help with legal matters? ProSeniors provides free legal information, advice and referral for Ohio residents of age 60 and older.
Beverley Laubert, the State Long-term Care Ombudsman, presents the 2009 Excellent Advocate Award to John Saulitis, regional director of the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program serving northeast Ohio.
Get Involved
Volunteer as an ombudsman and be the eyes and ears of the long-term care ombudsman program. Volunteers visit residents in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities and establish a regular presence in the facility.
Show your support for quality of care in nursing homes by joining the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign as a concerned consumer or advocate. Encourage your nursing home contacts to sign up as well.
Family Councils help make consumers' voices heard. Join or help form a family council at the facility where your loved one resides.
Resources
Residents' Rights Flier - Know your rights as a consumer of long-term services and supports.
Discharge Rights Flier - Learn what rights long-term care consumers have when it comes to being discharged from a faility or cut from Medicare or Medicaid services.
Effective Resident Councils - Resident councils provide a forum for residents to express themselves and suggest positive changes that will benefit the quality of life for all residents.
Program Profile: Ombudsman - Review and download a fact sheet about Ombudsman services in Ohio.
Ombudsman Q&A Brochure - Learn more about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and get answers to frequently asked questions.
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report, 2008 - Get a comprehensive picture of long-term care, including information about major long-term care issues and policy recommendations.
