Ombudsmen/Advocates for Assisted Living & Nursing Home Residents

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen, part of the Area IV Agency on Aging team, serve as sources of information and advocates for older adults considering or living in assisted living and nursing home facilities.

Guidance Before Moving Into a Facility

Ombudsmen visit with older adults deciding whether or when to move into long-term care facilities. As requested, they involve family members in those discussions and consider a variety of services and options that might help older adults lead good lives.

Advocacy on Behalf of Assisted Living and Nursing Home Residents

Ombudsmen also make regular visits to long-term care facilities and advocate for good care and living conditions. An ombudsman responds to complaints and concerns from long-term care residents. They work to resolve issues with residents and their families as well as the staff and administration of the facilities providing care. Ombudsmen help residents understand their rights and address long-term care staff concerns. They also provide training, community outreach and education to promote their services.

Ombudsmen are resident-focused. They investigate situations of concern at a resident's request. They may supply information, suggest solutions, and press for action or change on behalf of residents. Ombudsmen help resolve problems associated with long-term care including: 

• resident rights;
• quality of care and life within facilities;
• state and local agency service;
• Medicaid;
• Medicare;
• other insurance programs;
• improper transfer or discharge;
• abuse, neglect or exploitation;
• other resident, family, friend or staff concerns about the quality of life or well-being.

All contact with an ombudsman is confidential on behalf of the residents. 

To reach a local ombudsman, call 1-800-551-3191 or 406-447-1680.

Bozeman area; 1-406-522-8976.