What is an “Ombudsman”?

In the state of Florida, a long-term care ombudsman is a volunteer who helps to improve the lives of people who live in long-term care settings like nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes.

As members of Florida’s elder population make the transition into long-term care facilities, a strong support system for each individual becomes critical. Unfortunately, many long-term care residents do not have anyone to look out for their best interests when it comes to personal health, safety, welfare and rights.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is made up of more than 400 volunteers who are passionate about improving the quality of life for residents. It takes a special kind of person to commit to such a mission. We are proud to be a unique program whose success depends on the boldness and compassion of volunteers. These special individuals dedicate thousands of unpaid hours each year to ensuring that the voices of Florida’s long-term care facility residents are heard.

Advocating for Residents' Rights

Volunteer ombudsmen spend thousands of hours each year in licensed long-term care facilities, working to identify, investigate and resolve the concerns of residents and their loved ones, and performing annual assessments of every facility in Florida.

Between October 2007 and September 2008, the team of ombudsmen conducted 3,932 individual assessments. The program consistently empowers residents to know their rights, and often provides a voice for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves. To view a list of rights granted to each individual in a long-term care facility, please click on the following links:

“Bill of Rights” for residents of assisted living facilities and adult family care homes

“Bill of Rights” for residents of nursing homes

Responding to Residents' Concerns

In reporting year 2007-2008, the Ombudsman Program responded to more than 7,750 complaints made by, or on behalf of, long-term care residents in Florida. The most common issues in nursing homes were discharges and evictions, medication administration and matters of personal hygiene. The most common issues in assisted living facilities and adult family care homes were menu quality, quantity and variation; medication administration; and general housekeeping or cleanliness. Please click HERE to see our 2007-2008 Annual Report for further program statistics.

Ombudsmen work to resolve residents' concerns, to the best of their abilities and within the greatest extent of the law. All services are provided at no charge, and all complaints are confidential.

History of the Ombudsman Program 

Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program was founded in 1975 as a result of the federal Older Americans Act, which grants a special set of residents' rights to individuals who live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. Volunteer ombudsmen seek to ensure the health, safety, welfare and rights of these residents throughout Florida. 

The Ombudsman Program operates under the authority of federal and state law. Click HERE to read the 2008 state statutes regarding the Ombudsman Program.

Contacting the Program

If you would like to learn more about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or talk with someone about becoming a volunteer, please contact a local ombudsman office in your area. Click HERE to see a list of local offices.

Please contact the ombudsman headquarters office at:

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 280
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
850-414-2323 or toll-free 1-888-831-0404
Fax: 850-414-2377
email: LTCOPInformer@elderaffairs.org

Or click HERE to send us an email.