Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Individuals residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities (21kb pdf), basic care homes, or hospital swing bed, transitional and sub-acute settings may have concerns about their care. This program is intended to help resolve concerns.
The State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program:
- Receives, investigates, and works to resolve concerns affecting residents
- Answers questions and provides information and referral services
- Promotes resident, family, and community involvement in long-term care facilities
- Promotes community education about long-term care issues
- Coordinates efforts with other agencies and organizations
- Identifies issues and problem areas, and recommends needed changes
The Program Serves
- Residents of nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, basic care homes, and hospital swing bed, transitional and sub-acute settings
- Families and friends of residents
- The general public
- Employees and administrators of long-term care facilities
- Various regulatory, certification, and other agencies
Services are provided by long term care ombudsmen at the Regional Human Service Centers and by volunteer community ombudsmen who are trained by the department and who volunteer their time to serve residents of long-term care facilities. See Fact Sheet (52kb pdf)
Volunteer Community Ombudsmen
- Are recruited and trained by the Department of Human Services and are assigned to serve at long-term care facilities in their local communities
- Listen to residents' concerns, help protect resident's rights, and assure that residents receive fair treatment
- Provide long-term care residents with information about their rights and community resources
Currently about 80 community volunteer ombudsmen are placed in facilities in North Dakota where they serve as friendly visitors, investigators, problem solvers, mediators, and community educators on elder service issues.
- Making Healthcare Decisions (67kb pdf)
- Nursing Home Rights (248kb pdf)
- Basic Care Rights (164kb pdf)
Seeking Services or Information
For more information, contact the North Dakota Aging and Disability at (800) 451-8693, www.carechoice.nd.gov or e-mail this information and assistance service at dhssrinf@nd.gov.
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