Long-Term Care Ombudsmen protect, defend and advocate for residents by...

• Informing residents and their families of their rights;
• Resolving complaints;
• Providing information on residents needs/concerns to their families, facility staff and their community; and
• Advocating for good individualized care.

The Ombudsman program is available to...

• Residents* of any long-term care facility;
• Friends and relatives of persons who live in long-term care facilities;
• Long term care facility staff members and administrators with resident-related concerns;
• Individuals and families who are considering nursing home placement as a long-term care option;
• The community-at-large; and
• Other interested groups concerned about the welfare of residents of long-term care facilities.
  
  * A resident is a person 60 or older who is either a current resident, a prospective resident, or a former resident of a long-term care facility.

When contacted, an Ombudsman will...

• Listen to resident and family concerns;
• Keep all information confidential;
• Involve the resident and/or family in the investigation and resolution plan; and
• Seek to resolve problems within the facility.

Reasons to contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program...

• To report a problem or concern;
• To seek information about long-term care facilities;
• To learn more about Illinois' Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; or
• To get answers to questions about...
  • Facility services or standards;
  • Medical coverage;
  • Resident rights; and/or
  • Transfer or discharge.