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The Ombudsman program advocates rights of residents of care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and personal-care boarding homes. Residents of these facilities have specific rights regarding their care. Whether you are a resident of a long-term care facility, a family member or friend of a resident, or a staff member of a facility, an ombudsman can help resolve issues that are important to you.
To report a concern related to the care of an older resident, to request in-service training about resident/elder rights, or to obtain information about long-term care services or placement, please contact your Boulder County Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Ombudsman Roles and Responsibilities
- Advocate for the rights of older adults living in long-term care facilities
- Mediate between residents, family members, and facility staff to resolve issues affecting residents
- Information resource for residents, family members, and the public on issues regarding the rights of residents of long-term care facilities
- Investigate complaints and concerns that affect the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities
- Help residents obtain necessary legal, social, recreational, physical, and emotional support services
- Identify residents' concerns regarding their care and mediate to reach equitable solutions
- Assist facility staff in meeting the needs and concerns of residents
- Advocate for improvements and changes in legislation and policies affecting long-term care
- Educate the community about long-term care for older adults
Ombudsman Clients
- Residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities for older adults
- Friends and relatives of residents
- Facility staff and administrators
- The general public
- Anyone concerned about the welfare of residents in long-term care facilities
- Anyone who needs information about long-term care
Contact An Ombudsman To:
- Request in-service training or information about:
- Residents' rights
- facility services and standards,
- Medicaid coverage
- Resident transfer
- Discharge concerns
- Other
- Report a problem or concern related to the care of a resident
- Voice grievances without fear of reprisal
- Report and find safety from mental and physical abuse and/or chemical and physical restraints
- Be discharged or transferred only for:
- Medical reasons
- Welfare of the resident or others
- For non-payment
- Receive treatment and care in privacy and to communicate privately
- Freely participate in social, religious, and community activities
- Plan your own care and treatment
- Manage personal and financial affairs
- Make choices and independent decisions
- Keep and use personal belongings as space permits and to have adequate security for possessions
Becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman
Boulder County Community Services provides an orientation session which will give you a more detailed explanation of the ombudsman program, the role of volunteer ombudsmen, and what it means to advocate for residents’ rights.
Volunteer Roles
- Conflict mediation
- Advocate for the rights of elders and at-risk adults
- Improve the quality of life for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- Visit elders
- Educate residents, their families, staff and the public about residents’ rights
- Continued training by professionals in the aging field
Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program for more information.
Viewing Files
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program maintains public information files which contain reports of annual inspections and investigations of all long-term care facilities in Boulder County.
Inspections are conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities Division. Copies of inspection reports from all Boulder County long-term care facilities are available for viewing at the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office. Current inspection reports are also available for viewing at each nursing home and assisted living facility.
For More Information:
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