The first Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program was established in 1972, shortly after in 1978 the Older Americans Act (OAA) was put in place. The act required all states to establish an Ombudsman program that was a local community program utilizing volunteers.
So what is a long-term ombudsman?
A long-term care ombudsman is an advocate for residents in elder care facilities, board and care homes and assisted living facilities. All 50 states have ombudsman offices operating under federal law to help families and residents in elder care facilities. There are over 8,155 volunteers certified to help handle complaints throughout the United States.
An ombudsman is trained to help resolve problems and assist patients or families when filing complaints. All matters are kept confidential unless specified otherwise.
A long-term care ombudsman can be beneficial in many ways, including:
- Resolve complaints made for or by residents of long-term care facilities.
- Educate consumers and long-term care providers about resident’s rights and good care practices.
- Promote community involvement.
- Provides public information on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents rights and legislative and policy issues.
In North Carolina there are currently 17 offices with long-term care ombudsman support throughout the state, all of the offices are in area agencies on Aging. Below is the most up to date list for the state of North Carolina.
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Area Agency on Aging
|
Regional Ombudsmen | Counties Served |
| Centralina Council of Governments
9815 David Taylor Drive Charlotte, NC 28262
Toll Free:1-800-508-5777 (704) 348-2715, 348-2724, 688-6503, 348-2739, 688-6504 Fax: (704) 347-4710 |
|
Region F
Anson Cabarrus Gaston Iredell Lincoln Mecklenburg Rowan Stanley Union |
| Piedmont Triad Regional
1398 Carrollton Crossing Drive Kernersville, N.C. 27284 Main Number (336) 904-0300 Fax: (336)904-0302 |
|
Region G
Alamance Caswell Davidson Davie Forsyth Guilford Montgomery Randolph Rockingham Stokes Surry Yadkin |
|
Triangle J Council of Governments Suite 110, Durham, N.C. 27703 Toll Free: 1-800-310-9777 (919) 558-9401 Fax: (919) 998-8101 |
|
Region J
Chatham Durham Johnston Lee Moore Orange Wake |
| Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments P.O. Box 709 Henderson, N.C. 27536 Toll Free: 1-866-506-6223(252) 436-2050 Fax: (252) 436-2055 |
|
Region K
Franklin Granville Person Vance Warren
|
| Area Agency on Aging | Regional Ombudsmen | Counties Served |
|
Upper Coastal Plains Council of Governments P.O. Box 9 Fax: (252) 234-5971 |
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Region L
Edgecombe Halifax Nash Northampton Wilson |
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Mid-Carolina Council of Governments and ext. 27
|
|
Region M
Cumberland Harnett Sampson |
| Lumber River Council of Governments 30 CJ Walker RoadPembroke, N.C. 28358Toll Free: 1-866-582-4251 (910) 775-9761Fax: (910) 521-7556 |
|
Region N
Bladen Hoke Robeson Scotland Richmond |
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Cape Fear Council of Governments Toll Free: 1-800-218-6575 Fax: (910) 395-2684 |
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Region O
Brunswick Columbus New Hanover Pender |
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Eastern Carolina Council Toll Free: 1-800-824-4648 and ext. 3007 |
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Region P
Carteret Craven Duplin Greene Jones Lenoir Onslow Pamlico Wayne |
|
Mid-East Commission |
|
Region Q
Beaufort Bertie Hertford Martin Pitt |
|
Albemarle Commission
|
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Region R
Camden Chowan Currituck Dare Gates Hyde Pasquotank Perquimans Tyrrell Washington |
Making the decision to put a loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility is never easy. It is important that both you and your relative feel that you are choosing a facility that will have their comfort, safety and best interests at heart.
If you think a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse or neglect, which has caused serious injury, financial loss or even death, call Henson Fuerst for help.
Call 919-781-1107 to speak with an experienced North Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Attorney absolutely FREE.
At Henson Fuerst, we will speak with you for free and help answer any questions you have. We will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to secure the justice you and your family deserve. Call today or fill out a free consultation form online to find out how Henson Fuerst may be able to help.
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