Long-term Care and Assisted Living Ombudsman
The Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Ombudsman Programs are responsible for identifying, investigating and resolving issues related to the health, safety, welfare and rights of individual who living in long term care facilities. Our staff acts on behalf of residents of nursing homes, rest homes, and transitional care facilities in our region.
The Program seeks to protect the rights of residents of LTC and Assisted Living facilities, advocates for positive changes to the long-term care system in the state, and provides general information about LTC issues. The Program staff and volunteers are trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. They conduct regular visits to approximately 30 LTC homes and 60 Assisted Living residences in our region. Included in the program is in-service trainings to facility staff on a regular basis.
An Ombudsman is an advocate. The Ombudsman program offers a way for older adults to voice their complaints and have concerns addressed so they can live comfortably and respectably.
To contact the Ombudsman program, call 508-583-1833 to reach Director, Lila Burgess.
The Program would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers. If you would like to participate in the program, visit our Volunteer page.
History of the Ombudsman Program:
In 1972, the Ombudsman program started as a demonstration project, MA being one of the first pilot programs. Today the Ombudsman program operates in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, under the authorization of the OAA (Older Americans Act). Each state has an Office of the State LTC Ombudsman, headed by a full-time State LTC Ombudsman who directs the program statewide. The State Ombudsmen is responsible for designating local agencies to operate as representatives of their office to directly serve residents-OCPC is one of nineteen local LTC programs in MA. Working for the local programs are certified local Ombudsman volunteers.
