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Ombudsman is defined as a person who investigates and attempts to resolve complaints and problems brought to their attention by family members, care-givers or nursing home residents. The program was created in 1975 after being instituted by the Older American’s Act. The main goal was to ensure quality of life and quality of care to residents of both nursing homes and adult care facilities. The Ombudsman program is nationwide, in New York State alone there are 41 local programs with over 1,000 active, certified Ombudsman. Presently there are over 160,000 long term care residents living in 1,600 facilities across the state. The heart and soul of the Ombudsman program is its core group of specially trained volunteers. Through a state mandated 36 hour training, citizen volunteers learn the appropriate ways to solve and resolve local complaints from area residents. The main objective is to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken to allow residents the opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
In 2008-2009 there were a total of 22,824 complaints that were brought to the attention of the Ombudsman volunteers. This number, though staggering, proves the much needed services of the Ombudsman. Not only does the program save New York State millions of dollars annually, it provides our area with a much needed program that advocates for those unable to advocate for themselves.
The Ombudsman program continually seeks to bring an ongoing positive change to the long term care system. If you are interested in obtaining information about the program, please do not hesitate to contact Dorothy Dunn. She may be reached at 315-255-3447, ext. 320 or e-mail her at:
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