What is a Long Term Care Ombudsman?

The broad mission of the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman is to advocate for quality of life and quality of care for Alaska Seniors living in Long Term Care facilities by providing assistance and guidance as well as direct intervention on issues relating to health, safety, welfare and rights.

As required in the Federal Older Americans Act, each state has a State Long Term Care Ombudsman to carry out the functions defined in the act.

What is the Volunteer Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (VLTCOP) and how does it relate to the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program?

The intent of the VLTCOP is to utilize volunteers to increase the scope of the OLTCO.  Volunteers expand the ombudsman's capacity to deliver services.  Ombudsman volunteers would have regular contact with residents to discuss concerns they may have and help the resident resolve them.

The OLTCO will recruit, select and train a corps of volunteers who will foster and maintain a good working relationship with residents, facility administrators/staff and the provider network.  Based on individual areas of interest and skill sets, volunteers will be recruited, selected and trained to become representatives of the office.  Not all volunteer opportunities are continuously available.

Upon completing 20 hours of training to obtain certification and under close supervision of the Assistant Ombudsman/Volunteer Coordinator, the Certified VLTCO will work to assist residents in problem resolution and self-advocacy.