OMBUDSMAN -- defined in Webster's Riverside Dictionary as:
''one who investigates complaints, as from consumers, and assists in achieving fair settlements.''

Ombudsman Program staff and certified volunteers work in nursing homes, adult family homes, and boarding homes.

Certified Ombudsmen are a listening ear and a voice for residents of long-term care settings. Ombudsmen educate residents, staff, families, and the community about long-term care issues, resources, resident rights, and quality of life in long-term care.

The philosophy of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is to:

• advocate for the rights of residents;
• receive, investigate, and resolve concerns of the resident concerning the quality of life in the long-term care setting;
• monitor laws, regulations, and policies which impact long-term care residents;
• provide information to the public concerning long-term care setting; and
• promote the development of consumer organizations concerned with long-term care facilities.

The Ombudsman functions as a:

• team member working with staff and residents for quality care and quality of life for the residents;
• member of quality improvement teams, pointing out successes as well as areas that need additional work and resources;
• speaker for those residents who are unable to speak for themselves;
• advocates for resident choices;
• negotiator, helping to come to workable solutions to problems, involving the resident as an adult with a valid point of view; speaking for the resident's choice -- there are as many 'right' answers as there are people involved; and
• resource for facilities in a pro-active manner -- working with staff to develop policies and to address areas of potential conflict (i.e., what is the best approach to contracts, statements of resident rights, and establishing a resident council).

Certification Classes

Certification Trainings are held at Pierce County Human Services, 3580 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98418-7915.

Participation in the Orientation session and the four class sessions are required of all Ombudsman volunteers.

• October 16 - Orientation; 10 a.m. - 12 noon
• October 22 - Class; 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• October 23 - Class; 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• November 9 - Class; 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• November 10 - Class; 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Classes are routinely held in the Spring and Fall of the year. Orientation is always scheduled prior to the first class. Please call for the next orientation and class dates.

Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman
253-798-3789
LTCOmbudsman@co.pierce.wa.us