Educating, empowering and advocating for people living in long-term care residences.

The Ombudsman program is an effective advocate and resource for older adults and people with disabilities who live in nursing homes, assisted living, and other licensed adult care homes. Ombudsmen help residents understand and exercise their rights to good care in an environment that promotes and protects their dignity and quality of life.

Ombudsmen:

  • Advocate on behalf of residents to assure rights are not violated, identifying, investigating and working towards resolution of resident complaints.

  • Mediate among residents, family members, and staff towards achieving mutually beneficial solutions to the issues they are experiencing in long term care facilities.

  • Educate residents, families, facility staff, and community about issues in long term care and specific issues they are experiencing in facilities.

  • Refer complaints to the New York State Department of Health or other appropriate agencies when resolution through the Ombudsman program is not achievable.

Training and Support:

We provide the training and support necessary to become a New York State Certified Ombudsman. Following training, you will shadow experienced Ombudsmen and when you are ready, we will assign you to a residence near you.

The Ombudsman program is federally mandated by the Older American Act.
Funding provided by the New York State Office for the Aging and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living.

Download the Ombudsman volunteer brochure.

I volunteer to give back and to help residents know their rights.
I like helping people in their time of need.
I like advocating for residents.
I like being able to be their voice.
I’ve met wonderful people.