Alliance for Better Long Term Care

The Alliance for Better Long Term Care houses the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is empowered by the Older Americans Act to intercede on behalf of residents in cases of abuse, neglect, quality of care, quality of life, exploitation and any other problem that comes to their attention. This agency advocates for residents of nursing facilities, assisted living residences, and people receiving community based care. The office provides mediation, advocacy, and problem solving to residents of these facilities. We maintain a vigilant eye on laws and regulations that might affect elders. Providing referrals and information to callers is an important part of our contribution to the community. Giving residents of long term care facilities an objective listener and mediator provides them with a better opportunity to speak up for their own rights.

Description:
The Alliance promotes the quality of life and care of residents of long term care facilities. The Alliance is a non-profit consumer advocacy agency with a professional staff and volunteer community board of directors: helping residents and their families, shaping public policy and building an informed community.

As a volunteer you will be trained to become a certified volunteer ombudsman. You will be appointed to a facility that you will visit unannounced to advocate on behalf of any resident who brings a complaint to your attention. You will mediate between the resident and the staff to resolve such issues as neglect, abuse, financial exploitation, quality of care, quality of life, guardianship, POA, dignity, autonomy etc. People who may have no family to watch out for them or may be afraid to speak up for themselves will depend on you. This will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

History:
This agency was established twenty-five years ago by Roberta Hawkins, as the Alliance for Better Nursing Home Care and as such was actively involved in resident advocacy. In 1997, there was a grant awarded by the RI Legislature to develop and implement a Long Term Care Volunteer Ombudsman Program. Two years later, Roberta Hawkins, the executive director of the agency, was appointed State Ombudsman.

Contact people:

Joann Leonard, Dir of Programs, 401-785-3340, (email) Roberta Hawkins, Executive Director/State Ombudsman, 401-785-3340 Paula Moreau, Vol. Coordinator, 401-785-3340, (email)

Office fax number: (401) 785-3391

Address:

422 Post Rd, Ste 204 Warwick, RI 02888 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Please call for directions

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Helping People in Crisis
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No
What type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)(3)
What type of VCRI membership did this agency have in 2008?
	Full Year

Last updated on August 12, 2009