Ombudsman
Ombudsman – Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging
What is A Long-term Care Ombudsman?
A long-term care ombudsman is a consumer advocate specifically concerned with the rights and care of older adults living in long-term care facilities. The Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman provides assistance with a wide range of quality-of-life matters important to older individuals in care facilities including:
- Poor or Inadequate Care
- Medication Errors
- Improper Discharge/Eviction
- Disrespectful Treatment
- Reports of Abuse
- Guardianship Fraud
When Your Voice Falters, We Speak For You
Your local ombudsman is a citizen representative who hears and addresses a wide variety of complaints regarding violations of the rights of residents living within care facilities. Those living in nursing homes, domiciliary care homes, personal care homes, and long-term care facilities, as well as those who visit adult day centers and other facilities that serve seniors are protected as part of the 1978 Older Americans Act. The Ombudsman is the advocate who long-term care residents in Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon counties, their loved ones, and other concerned individuals can contact for assistance with resolution of many types of conflicts and problems. When it feels like no one is listening or cares, when your voice falters, reach out to us. We will speak for you.
A Mediator For Nursing Home Residents
All elders deserve to be treated with respect, decency, and dignity. The Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman works to empower and improve the quality of life for all nursing home and long-term care residents within our service area. As a neutral third party, issues regarding resident rights and quality of care can generally be resolved through mediation between the resident and facility, with the Ombudsman as mediator.
Resolution of Violations, Problems & Complaints
If you have a concern, contact your local Area Agency on Aging to request assistance. No problem is too big or small! Your Ombudsman can investigate and help resolve complaints including:
- Missing Belongings
- Problems Between Residents & Staff
- Food Complaints
- Daily Routines
- Inadequate Temperature Control
- Violations of Human Rights
- And much more!
We Need Your Help!
Consider Becoming A Volunteer Ombudsman Assistant
Unannounced Ombudsman visits serve as deterrents to poor conditions and abuse within the walls of long-term care facilities throughout our region. We cannot protect our seniors without the assistance of concerned community members. If you care about our elders and are interested in becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman Assistant to assist our Ombudsman with making visits to local facilities, recording resident complaints, and assisting with reports, please contact your county office of the Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging.