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Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP)

The New York State Office For the Aging, under provisions of the Older Americans Act, administers the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. It is a coordinated system of state and local advocacy services to receive, investigate and resolve complaints and concerns of residents in long term care facilities. Long Term Care Ombudsmen advocate on behalf of individuals and groups of residents as well as work to effect systems changes on the local, state and national level. In Westchester County, the Mental Health Association implements the program.

Is It For Me?

If you live in a long-term care facility or you are a family member, friend or professional serving such a person, this program is for you. You can bring any complaint to our attention, and we will investigate it. We will assist, monitor and refer any unresolved complaints to regulatory agencies.

For information about this program or to register a complaint, call Margaret Hadad, Program Director, at 914-345-3993, extension 234 or contact our Information and Referral Service at 914-345-5900, extension 240, or send us an e-mail at help@mhawestchester.org.

What We Deliver

Ombudsman responsibilities outlined in Title VII of the Older Americans Act include:

Identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by and on behalf of residents
Provide information to residents about long-term care services
Represent the interests of residents before governmental agencies and seek administrative, legal and other remedies to protect residents
Analyze, comment on and recommend changes in laws and regulations pertaining to the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents
Educate and inform consumers and the general public regarding issues and concerns related to long-term care and facilitate public comments on laws, regulations, policies and actions
Promote the development of citizen organizations to participate in the program
Provide technical support for the development of resident and family councils to protect the well-being and rights of residents

Where

Ombudsmen visit the residents in long-term care facilities in Westchester County.

When

Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Volunteer Ombudsmen usually visit the facilities Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Ombudsmen and staff have 24-hour access to the facilities, and they can make visits at any hours in cases of emergency.

Languages Spoken

LTCOP staff members speak English and Swedish.

LTCOP volunteers are available who speak Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Sign Language, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish and Yiddish.

Cost

The service is free to consumers. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is funded by Federal, State and County governments and by local fund raising. It is a cost-efficient program using volunteers who are assigned to visit facilities.

Staff/Service Providers

The program is supervised by two certified social workers with extensive experience and knowledge in the aging field, especially in long-term care.

Volunteers receive 36 hours of initial training and are supervised and supported by staff members.

If you would like to be a Long Term Care Ombudsman, click here for information about this opportunity.

Links to Other Helpful Sites

Senior Citizens Guide to Mental Health Services
http://www.co.westchester.ny.us/aging/MH_Directory_final.pdf
The Westchester Department of Senior Program and Services (DSPS), working with the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health and with Martha Bruce, PhD of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, has published Senior Citizens Guide to Mental Health Services. It includes a comprehensive list of mental health services for older adults in Westchester County. The guide can be found at the Department’s home page and accessible through the above link for those with an Adobe Acrobat Reader.

The guide is also available in book form. Contact The Westchester DSPS for a copy by phone at 914-813-6300 or by email at bdc1@westchestergov.com.

New York State Office for the Aging
http://www.agingwell.state.ny.us
This site has many interesting sections. Click on Health & Safety First to get information about safety and self care. Click on Eating Well to learn about nutrition to support a long, healthy life. Click on Fitness to find out how to stay active and stay fit. Go to the Healing Place to learn how physical health is connected to what we think and what we feel. Go to Pharmacy to learn about medications. They even provide charts you can print out to record the medications you take, a handy reference to bring to your doctor or pharmacist.

Westchester County Community Help Desk - Seniors at Risk
http://chd.westchestergov.com
The Westchester County Office for the Aging has a site for Seniors at Risk on their Community Help Desk. It presents several questions for you to answer to help you identify resources to deal with the issues you identify.

National Council on the Aging Benefits CheckUp
http://www.benefitscheckup.org
The National Council on the Aging is a non-profit association of organizations and professionals dedicated to promotoing the dignity, self-determination, well being and contributions of older persons. With the help of generous sponsors, the Benefits CheckUp provides free information about benefit programs for which seniors are eligible and how to apply for them. The site is confidential, requiring no information that can be traced to you. Plan to spend 10 to 15 minutes completing the questionnaire on behalf of yourself and/or those you love and serve.

Medicare
http://www.medicare.gov
In addition to English, this federal government site has sections in Spanish and Chinese. Beginner Search Tips provide an excellent guide to using this comprehensive site about Medicare and Medigap. Now you can order a replacement Medicare card from this site. This site gives you information about the Medicare coverage to which you are entitled, provides easy steps to guide your choice of a nursing home, helps you recognize fraud and abuse in matters relating to Medicare coverage.

New York State Department of Health
http://www.health.state.ny.us
Of particular interest to seniors and their loved ones is the section on Nursing Homes which provides detailed information about the facility, including the most recent results of the New York State Standard Survey conducted at least every 15 months. Click on Nursing Home Info at the top of this site’s home page.

Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/
This site provides information for seniors on subjects including retirement, financial planning, legislation, health care anti-fraud initiatives and care issues for seniors. They also have extensive information about the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program in the U.S.

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