Educating, empowering and advocating for long-term care residents. The Ombudsman Program is an effective advocate and resource for persons with disabilities who live in nursing homes. Ombudsmen help residents and their families understand and exercise their rights to good care in an environment that promotes and protects their dignity and quality of life.
The heart of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is its corps of specially trained and certified citizen-volunteer ombudsmen. Many volunteers are retired professionals from various fields. Sunshine is pleased that Mary Barrett has been assigned to work with our Sunshine families. Beginning in September, she will visit the facility on a monthly basis, first learning about Sunshine programs and services so she can be best advocate for the residents. The Ombudsman Program advocates for residents by investigating and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of residents; promoting the development of resident and family councils; and informing government agencies, providers and the general public about issues and concerns impacting residents of long-term care facilities.