Institutionalized Elderly, Office of the Ombudsman for the

The Office of the Ombudsman’s staff can answer questions, provide information and handle complaints about residents’ rights and other areas of concern. We can also refer residents to other agencies or programs providing services to seniors. The Ombudsman accepts complaints from any source and takes action as necessary to promote the health, safety, welfare and civil and human rights of elderly residents in nursing homes and other long‐term care facilities. The Ombudsman’s Office can conduct public or private hearings, subpoena documents or personal testimony and has full unrestricted access to elderly residents of long‐term care facilities and their records. The Office of the Ombudsman also reviews proposals to withhold or withdraw life‐sustaining medical treatment in end‐of‐life situations in long‐term care. The identity of the people involved in complaints and the nature of the complaints are kept confidential. Anonymous reports are accepted.