Welcome
to the Lewis-Mason-Thurston County Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Program
" The overall purpose of the ombudsman
program is to promote the interests, well-being, and rights
of
long-term care
facility residents."
Ombudsman Program
staff and certified volunteers work in nursing homes, adult family homes
and boarding homes.
Certified Ombudsmen are a listening ear and a voice for residents of
long-term care settings. Ombudsmen educate residents, staff, families
and the community about long-term care issues, resources, resident rights
and quality of life in long-term care facilities.
The philosophy of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is to:
• Advocate
for the rights of residents;
• Receive, investigate and resolve complaints of the resident
concerning the quality of life in long-term care facilities;
• Monitor laws, regulations and policies which impact long-term
care residents;
• Provide information to the public concerning long-term care
settings.
The Ombudsman functions as a:
• Team member
working with staff and residents for quality care and quality of
life for the residents;
• Member of quality improvement teams, pointing out successes
as well as areas that need additional work and resources;
• Voice for those residents who are unable to speak for themselves;
• Advocate for resident choices.
A Certified Ombudsman is assigned to one or more facilities. Each volunteer
receives thirty hours of training before being assigned to a facility.
Ongoing training is provided on a monthly basis. In addition, Ombudsmen
are informed as to other training opportunities available in the area
and are encouraged to attend.
More Information for Family Members and Residents
For more information on how to choose a long-term care facility, resident
rights, understanding the long-term care system, advocacy and related
issues, please visit King County’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
website at: http://www.ltcop.com/index.htm.
This website has extensive information on long-term care issues that are
important to residents and their families.
Get Involved!
The Washington State Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman Program has been
organized to utilize highly trained community volunteers to supplement
the work of a small staff. The State of Washington authorizes the State
LTC Ombudsman, Louise Ryan, to delegate her authority (to advocate on behalf
of long-term care residents) to citizens who undergo certification training
and work under the principles and guidelines set by the LTC Ombudsman
Program. Currently, there are over 500 Certified LTC Ombudsmen in Washington
State, with an average of 20-25 actively volunteering in Lewis, Mason
and Thurston Counties.
More Ombudsmen are needed! We are in need of more volunteers
who are dedicated to advocating for the rights of residents in long-term
care facilities in Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. Please help us
spread the word about our program. If you know someone who is interested,
please let us know so we can send them information, or have them contact
us directly.
Contact Paul Tosch, Regional LTC Ombudsman for Lewis/Mason/Thurston Counties,
by email at ombudspt@localaccess.com
or by phone at 360-943-6018
If You Need Help
If you need help in resolving resident related complaints, issues or
questions about adult family homes, boarding homes or nursing homes, please
contact:
