The Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program's Vision is:

*To protect the rights of all Long Term Care consumers through problem solving, consumer support, and maintaining confidentiality.
*To be system shapers, committed to identifying and improving long term care issues affecting our elders and their families. In support of this goal we will utilize collective collaboration and advocate for progressive legislation that educates and shapes public perceptions of elder care issues.

Description:
The Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocates for consumers of long term care services in Maine.
A Swedish word, Ombudsman (pronounced om-budz-man) is a specially trained advocate who is given authority under federal and Maine law to investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, long-term care consumers.

Who Can Ask for Assistance?

• Any person interested in improving the quality of care for consumers;
• A consumer receiving services from a home care agency;
• A resident of a long-term care facility;
• An employee or administrator of a home care agency, or a long-term care facility;
• A friend or relative of a resident or consumer;
• Representatives of public agencies and community groups.
  
  

You Have the Right to Express Your Complaints

• The state regulations for long-term care facilities indicate that individuals may voice their grievances to anyone outside the facility. All communication is confidential. Services are free of charge.
  
  

What Does an Ombudsman Do?

• Investigates and resolves complaints;
• Advocates for consumers with facility staff and home care providers;
• Educates consumers, families, and providers about residents' rights;
• Answers questions and supplies information;
• Guides consumers through the sometimes complex long-term care system;
• Represents consumers' interests before state and federal government by working to change laws, regulations and policies that affect consumers of long-term care services.
  
  

Seek help from an Ombudsman when ...

• Concerned about the care or treatment received at home or in a facility;
• Someone interferes with the rights, health, safety or welfare of long-term care consumers.



History:
National History: The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program was initiated by former President Nixon through his 1971 Eight Point Initiative to improve the quality of care in America's nursing homes and to respond to complaints submitted to the White House about abuse and neglect of nursing home residents. President Nixon directed HEW "to assist the States in establishing investigative units which would respond in a responsible and constructive way to complaints made by or on behalf of individual nursing home residents.
The 1978 Amendments to the Older Americans Act, passed in October of 1978, considerabley strengthened the Ombudsman Program. Title III, Section 307(a)(12) required every State to have a long term care ombudsman program. The Older Americans Act elevated the Nursing Home OMbudsman Program to a statutory level.
Maine History: Maine has one of the only private non-profit long term care ombudsman programs in the country. Many states include their Ombudsman Program within the Adult Protective Services or Legal Services for the Elderly departments. The Ombudsman Program's mandate is to promote and protect resident rights and to monitor issues related to quality of care and dignity. Because of mandates added by the Maine State Legislature, the Maine Ombudsman Program advocates for all consumers of long-term care, whether they reside in their own home or facility. The Maine program became operational in 1978, under a federal model project grant. After a successful project, the Maine Ombudsman Program received on-going funding. the former Maine Committee on Aging was the initial contracting agency. The Older Americans Act was amended to require that each state provide an Ombudsman Program for Nursing Facilities. In 1981 the Older Americans Act was amended again to include Boarding Homes and Assisted Livings within Ombudsman jurisdiction. In 1986 the State of Maine added Home Care consumers to this jurisdiction. In 1987 Resident Rights were part of the Nursing Home Reform Law enacted by the U.S. Congress. This law places responsibility on nursing facilities to promote and protect the rights of each resident, with particular attention on dignity and self-determination.
In 1991 the contracting agency was Legal Services for the Elderly Inc., after the Maine Committee on Aging was legislatively closed. In 1995 the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program became the first private non-profit Ombudsman Program in the country. Maine LTCOPs funding contract is handled by the Office of Elder Services in the State Department of Human Services. In 1996 the state of Maine added all assisted living facilities and adult family care homes to the mandate, placing them withing Ombudsman jurisdiction.



Contact people:


Sue McKeen, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Brenda Gallant, Executive Director, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (207) 621-0509

Address:


PO Box 128 Augusta, ME 04332


Web Site: http://www.maineombudsman.org

Last updated on November 9, 2009