Do you suspect a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse or nursing home neglect? One of the first steps you should take is contacting a long term care ombudsman.
Often, it is difficult to move a nursing home resident right away. Many concerned family members try to file a complaint initially which typically ends up going unresolved. A California ombudsman for nursing homes advocates for residents and their families and investigates complaints. The ombudsman program can give you immediate options to assist your loved one.
If you feel the nursing home administration is ignoring your complaints or cannot resolve the issue, you can report nursing home abuse and neglect to the ombudsman for immediate attention.
Here is everything you need to know to contact an ombudsman in California and how they can help.
What Is an Ombudsman and What Do They Do? | Ombudsman Definition
What is an ombudsman? A long-term care ombudsman is a representative that helps families and residents in long-term care facilities by investigating and resolving complaints and serving as an advocate. The long term care ombudsman program is administered by the California Department of Aging (CDA).
A California ombudsman essentially helps senior victims of abuse or neglect to understand their rights within the legal system and reach a proper resolution.
Ombudsman services are provided free of charge to long-term care residents and families. The complaints you make to the ombudsman are confidential.
The ombudsman program came about due to increasing complaints and awareness surrounding issues of neglect, abuse, and poor quality care for the elderly. The Nursing Home Ombudsman Program was created in 1978 through amendments to the Older Americans Act. Three years later in 1981, the government changed the program to include assisted living locations as well. Now, all 50 states are required to have an Ombudsman Program providing access to an ombudsman nursing home residents deserve.
An ombudsman in California is usually a state-certified volunteer who has received extensive training. Ombudsmen must receive at least 36 hours of training, complete a supervised internship, and receive at least 12 hours of ongoing education annually.
What Does an Ombudsman Do in a Nursing Home? | Ombudsman Services Explained
Elder abuse and neglect are major issues both in California and across the country. These instances are generally handled by providers within the state’s Department of Aging.
The department’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program has branches throughout the state. Nursing home residents and their families can contact their local State of California ombudsman office to be assigned an ombudsman.
What does an ombudsman typically do? A nursing home ombudsman can assist with quality of life issues and nursing home abuse reporting. Common areas in which they can help include:
- Poor quality of care in a long-term care facility
- Dietary issues in the facility
- Violations of a nursing home resident’s rights and dignity
- Concerns regarding physical, verbal, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse
- Issues related to medical care, rehabilitation, or therapy
- Improper discharge or transfer of a long-term care resident
- Inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraints
- Regular, unannounced visits to licensed nursing homes
An ombudsman for elderly nursing home residents has a primary role of protecting seniors from mistreatment, abuse, neglect, and poor conditions. They do this through random visits to facilities to look for signs of nursing home abuse and neglect and by taking complaints from residents and families.
A California ombudsman reports their findings to appropriate government agencies. After each visit, the ombudsman enters their records into the National Ombudsman Reporting System to help spot and address chronic complaints, shortcomings, and other issues.
Report Nursing Home Abuse | Role of Ombudsman in Nursing Home Abuse
One of the most important roles of the California state ombudsman is reviewing and investigating reported abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility. Their goal is to closely examine allegations, determine if they are credible, then advocate for the resident to resolve the issue.
You can think of the long term care ombudsman as a counselor and mediator. They play a very different role than a nursing home abuse lawyer, police, or the Department of Public Health as they assist with conflict resolution, communication, and education. You can report nursing home abuse directly to a California ombudsman as an alternative to calling the nursing home abuse hotline or contacting the state for help navigating your case.
Your ombudsman can answer questions such as:
- How do I report a nursing home to the state?
- What are my rights as a resident of a nursing home?
- How can I move my loved one to a safer facility?
- How can I prove allegations of abuse or neglect?
An ombudsman in California will listen to your concerns and step in to assist you with a complaint. They will ensure the right parties are involved and connect you to resources. When you submit your complaint to an ombudsman, they will work with staff to resolve your complaint, involve other parties when necessary, and report serious issues to the state.
The benefit of the nursing home ombudsman program is you will gain an advocate who will help you through the entire process. They will ensure your rights are protected and the correct action is taken.
However, the California Ombudsman Program is not designed for emergencies. If you feel that your loved one is at serious risk of imminent harm, call 911 instead or your local police department.
When Should You Contact a California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
A long term care ombudsman in California can assist with resolving issues, large and small, including reporting abuse and neglect to the state. However, they cannot provide legal advice and they cannot help with a civil case against the nursing home.
After contacting your local ombudsman, the next step may be contacting a San Diego nursing home abuse attorney to help your family and loved one pursue financial compensation. Your lawyer will help you hold the facility accountable and seek compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering, medical care, transfer to a different facility, and more. Your lawyer can also work with your ombudsman to gather the necessary evidence and document the harm your loved one has suffered.
Contact Berman & Riedel, LLP today for a free consultation with a compassionate California nursing home neglect lawyer to discuss your case. Our law firm is based on San Diego and represents clients throughout California. We are renowned for our expertise in nursing home abuse and neglect cases with case results that speak for themselves.
Who Is My Local Ombudsman? | How to Find Your Local Ombudsman Office
How do I contact my local ombudsman? If you are being mistreated as a resident or suspect a loved one has been abused or neglected, there are several ways to locate your local ombudsman office.
Long-term care facilities in California are required to post the state CRISISline number and the local California ombudsman phone number and location. You can also search for your local office through the California Department of Aging or check below for the contact information for the long term care ombudsman who can help you.
California Ombudsman Contact Information
How To Contact California Ombudsman | Ombudsman - California County | California Ombudsman Office Information |
---|---|---|
How to Contact Alameda County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Alameda County Ombudsman | 6955 Foothill Boulevard, Suite 143 Oakland 94605 (510) 638-6876 |
How to Contact Alpine County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Alpine County Ombudsman | 88 Bradford Street Sonora 95370 (209) 532-7632 |
How to Contact Amador County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Amador County Ombudsman | 88 Bradford Street Sonora 95370 (209) 532-7632 |
How to Contact Butte County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Butte County Ombudsman | 25 Main Street, Suite 202 Chico 95929 (530) 898-5923 (800) 822-0109 |
How to Contact Calaveras County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Calaveras County Ombudsman | 88 Bradford Street Sonora 95370 (209) 532-7632 |
How to Contact Colusa County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Colusa County Ombudsman | 25 Main Street, Suite 202 Chico 95929 (530) 898-5923 (800) 822-0109 |
How to Contact Contra Costa County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Contra Costa County Ombudsman | 2255 Contra Costa Boulevard, Suite 204 Pleasant Hill 94523 (925) 685-2070 |
How to Contact Del Norte County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Del Norte County Ombudsman | 434 7th Street, Suite 209 Eureka 95501 (707) 269-1330 |
How to Contact El Dorado County Long Term Care Ombudsman | El Dorado County Ombudsman | 937 Spring Street Placerville 95667 (530) 621-6271 |
How to Contact Fresno County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Fresno County Ombudsman | 3845 N. Clark Street, Suite 201 Fresno 93726 (559) 224-9177 |
How to Contact Glenn County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Glenn County Ombudsman | 25 Main Street, Suite 202 Chico 95929 (530) 898-5923 (800) 822-0109 |
How to Contact Humboldt County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Humboldt County Ombudsman | 434 7th Street, Suite 209 Eureka 95501 (707) 269-1330 |
How to Contact Imperial County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Imperial County Ombudsman | 778 W. State Street El Centro 92243 (442) 265-7032 |
How to Contact Inyo County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Inyo County Ombudsman | 682 Spruce Street Bishop 93514 (760) 872-4128 |
How to Contact Kern County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Kern County Ombudsman | 615 California Avenue Bakersfield 93304 (661) 323-7884 (888) 292-4252, ext. 1109 |
How to Contact Kings County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Kings County Ombudsman | 5957 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia 93277 (559) 852-2828 (800) 293-9714 |
How to Contact Lake County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Lake County Ombudsman | P.O. Box 9000 Lower Lake 95457 (707) 262-4525 |
How to Contact Lassen County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Lassen County Ombudsman | 1647 Hartnell Avenue, Suite 9 Redding 96002 (530) 229-1435 (530) 229-1816 |
How to Contact Los Angeles City Long Term Care Ombudsman | Los Angeles City Ombudsman | 1527 4th Street, 2nd Floor Santa Monica 90401 (310) 899-1483 |
How to Contact Los Angeles County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Los Angeles County Ombudsman | 16461 Sherman Way, Suite 177 Van Nuys 91406 (818) 444-0315 |
How to Contact Madera County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Madera County Ombudsman | 3845 N. Clark Street, Suite 201 Fresno 93726 (559) 224-9177 |
How to Contact Marin County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Marin County Ombudsman | 10 North San Pedro Road, Suite 1024 San Rafael 94903 (415) 473-7446 |
How to Contact Mariposa County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Mariposa County Ombudsman | 88 Bradford Street Sonora 95370 (209) 532-7632 |
How to Contact Mendocino County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Mendocino County Ombudsman | 747 South State Street P.O. Box 839 Ukiah 95482 (707) 234-6830 |
How to Contact Merced County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Merced County Ombudsman | 851 West 23rd Street Merced 95340 (209) 385-7402 |
How to Contact Modoc County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Modoc County Ombudsman | 1647 Hartnell Avenue, Suite 9 Redding 96002 (530) 229-1435 (530) 229-1816 |
How to Contact Mono County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Mono County Ombudsman | 682 Spruce Street Bishop 93514 (760) 872-4128 |
How to Contact Monterey County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Monterey County Ombudsman | 247 Main Street Salinas 93901 (831) 655-1334 Salinas Number: (831) 758-4011 |
How to Contact Napa County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Napa County Ombudsman | 1443 Main Street Building D, #125 Napa 94559 (707) 255-4236 |
How to Contact Nevada County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Nevada County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |
How to Contact Orange County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Orange County Ombudsman | 2 Executive Circle, Suite 175 Irvine 92614 (714) 479-0107 (800) 300-6222 |
How to Contact Placer County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Placer County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |
How to Contact Plumas County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Plumas County Ombudsman | 270 County Hospital Rd. Suite 207 Quincy 95971 (530) 283-6350 |
How to Contact Riverside County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Riverside County Ombudsman | 2060 University Avenue, Suite 212 Riverside 92507 (951) 686-4402 |
How to Contact Sacramento County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Sacramento County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |
How to Contact San Benito County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Benito County Ombudsman | 5274 Scotts Valley Drive, Suite 203 Scotts Valley 95066 (831) 429-1913 |
How to Contact San Bernardino County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Bernardino County Ombudsman | 686 E. Mill Street, Second Floor San Bernardino 92415 (909) 891-3928 (866) 229-0284 |
How to Contact San Diego County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Diego County Ombudsman | 5560 Overland Avenue, Suite 310 San Diego 92133 (858) 560-2507 (800) 640-4661 |
How to Contact San Francisco County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Francisco County Ombudsman | 6221 Geary Boulevard, 3rd Floor San Francisco 94121 (415) 751-9788 (415) 751-9789 |
How to Contact San Joaquin County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Joaquin County Ombudsman | 102 South San Joaquin Street Stockton 95201 (209) 468-3785 |
How to Contact San Luis Obispo County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Luis Obispo County Ombudsman | 3232 S. Higuera Street, Suite 101B San Luis Obispo 93401 (805) 785-0132 |
How to Contact San Mateo County Long Term Care Ombudsman | San Mateo County Ombudsman | 711 Nevada Street Redwood City 94061 (650) 780-5707 |
How to Contact Santa Barbara County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Santa Barbara County Ombudsman | 123 W. Gutierrez Santa Barbara 93101 (805) 922-1236 |
How to Contact Santa Clara County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Santa Clara County Ombudsman | 2625 Zanker Road Suite 201 San Jose 95134 (408) 944-0567 |
How to Contact Santa Cruz County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Santa Cruz County Ombudsman | 5274 Scotts Valley Drive, Suite 203 Scotts Valley 95066 (831) 429-1913 |
How to Contact Shasta County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Shasta County Ombudsman | 1647 Hartnell Avenue, Suite 9 Redding 96002 (530) 229-1435 (530) 229-1816 |
How to Contact Sierra County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Sierra County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |
How to Contact Siskiyou County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Siskiyou County Ombudsman | 1647 Hartnell Avenue, Suite 9 Redding 96002 (530) 229-1435 (530) 229-1816 |
How to Contact Solano County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Solano County Ombudsman | 2255 Contra Costa Blvd. Suite 204 Pleasant Hill 94523 (925) 384-1124 |
How to Contact Sonoma County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Sonoma County Ombudsman | 1304 Southpoint Boulevard, Suite 280 Petaluma 94954 (707) 526-4108 |
How to Contact Stanislaus County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Stanislaus County Ombudsman | 2351 Tenaya Drive, Suite D Modesto 95354 (209) 529-3784 |
How to Contact Sutter County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Sutter County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |
How to Contact Tehama County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Tehama County Ombudsman | 25 Main Street, Suite 202 Chico 95929 (530) 898-5923 (800) 822-0109 |
How to Contact Trinity County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Trinity County Ombudsman | 1647 Hartnell Avenue, Suite 9 Redding 96002 (530) 229-1435 (530) 229-1816 |
How to Contact Tulare County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Tulare County Ombudsman | 5957 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia 93277 (559) 852-2828 (800) 293-9714 |
How to Contact Tuolumne County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Tuolumne County Ombudsman | 88 Bradford Street Sonora 95370 (209) 532-7632 |
How to Contact Ventura County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Ventura County Ombudsman | 2022 Sperry Avenue, #35 Ventura 93003 (805) 656-1986 |
How to Contact Yolo County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Yolo County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |
How to Contact Yuba County Long Term Care Ombudsman | Yuba County Ombudsman | 1401 El Camino Avenue, 4th Floor Sacramento 95815 (916) 376-8910 |