Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized by the federal Older American Act. This is a state and federally mandated program that has both paid staff and fully trained volunteers. The State of Louisiana contracts with the Calcasieu Council on Aging to provide the Ombudsman Program. The Calcasieu Council on Aging Ombudsman program serves long-term care facilities in six parishes (Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, Jeff Davis and Vernon). These facilities include nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This program is designed to ensure that residents of long-term care facilities receive the best possible care and that their rights are protected and promoted. The Ombudsman Program fulfills this purpose by:
- Investigating and resolving problems, including complaints against a facility or public agency
- Advocating for resident rights and improvements in care and quality of life
- Educating the public, caregivers and the residents themselves about their rights and efforts to improve care
- Informing lawmakers and public agencies about ways to improve care
- Aiding families in identifying suitable nursing homes or long-term care facilities for loved ones
- Investigating and resolving problems, including complaints against a facility or public agency
- Advocating for resident rights and improvements in care and quality of life
- Educating the public, caregivers and the residents themselves about their rights and efforts to improve care
- Informing lawmakers and public agencies about ways to improve care
- Aiding families in identifying suitable nursing homes or long-term care facilities for loved ones
The Ombudsman Program wants you to exercise your rights as a resident of a long-term care facility. Residents or their families can file a complaint directly to the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling our office at 1-800-223-5872 or locally at 474-2583..
