Press Release May 21, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2002

CONTACT:  Alice H. Hedt, 105 Janet Wells, 117 202-332-2275

NCCNHR CELEBRATES OMBUDSMAN ANNIVERSARY

The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCCNHR) celebrates the 30^th anniversary of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program that began with seven demonstration projects in 1972 and has evolved to a network of 12,000 volunteers and 1,000 paid ombudsmen.  Daily, these advocates are in nursing homes and board and care facilities to represent resident interests, resolve complaints and promote resident rights.

"The history of the long term care ombudsman program has been directly linked with the history of the Coalition for Nursing Home Reform," states Alice H. Hedt, Director of the National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center located at NCCNHR.  "Years before there was an established Ombudsman Center, NCCNHR provided training, support and encouragement to ombudsmen who were defining their roles and developing their programs.  Today, it is our privilege to provide opportunities to ombudsmen through the Center and to join with ombudsmen to address complex, important long term care issues."

Long Term Care Ombudsmen responded to over 230,000 complaints and provided one-on-one consultations to over 245,000 individuals during 2000.  In addition, ombudsmen provide public education on long term care issues,  train facility staff on resident rights, and represent resident concerns on  a variety of systemic issues such as personal needs allowances, resident dental care, and facility staffing.

To learn more about the ombudsman program or to find the state and local ombudsman programs in your state visit www.ltcombudsman.org

Attached:  ombudsman quotes