Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
What is a Long Term Care Ombudsman?
An Ombudsman is a person who visits nursing home residents with the goal of advocating for and enhancing their quality of life. The team of Ombudsmen provides services for 13 nursing homes in Berkshire County.
Residents may talk to ombudsmen about:
- Rights and responsibilities as a resident
- Loss of personal items
- Conflicts with staff
- Facility policies, and more
- Quality of Care of Residents
Ombudsmen help to educate long term care residents about their rights and seek to empower residents to become more active in resolving their concerns. Ombudsman volunteers help to reduce the isolation and loneliness experienced by many residents who have no family or friends involved in their lives.
Who does the Long Term Care Ombudsman program serve?
Long Term Care Ombudsmen work with nursing home residents, as well as with their families and friends on behalf of the resident. Services and all conversations with ombudsmen are confidential. Ombudsmen are trained in areas like nursing facility regulations, negotiating, and more. They are assigned to specific nursing homes and visit each site weekly. Services are provided free of charge to residents and their families and friends.
To contact the Ombudsman Program for nursing home concerns, or if you are interested in volunteering, please call (413) 499-0524 ext 726.
Important links and phone numbers
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs (800) 243-4636
- Department of Public Health (800) 462-5540
- Center for Medicare and Medicare Services (800) 633-4227
- If you have a concern about the safety of a resident, please contact the MA Dept. of Public Health complaint line at (800) 462-5540 ASAP to report the situation.