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Public Information OMBUDSMAN LONG TERM CARE ADVOCACY
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Public Information OMBUDSMAN LONG TERM CARE ADVOCACY
*To return to this list, click on the "Public Info" button on the left.
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Concerned about
residents of nursing homes or personal |
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What is an Ombudsman? "Ombudsman is a Swedish word that means "citizen representative." An ombudsman works to increase the responsiveness of organizations to the people they serve. What is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman? A Long-Term Care Ombudsman seeks to improve the quality of life of the residents of long-term care facilities. These facilities include nursing homes, and personal care homes, often called assisted living facilities or residential care facilities. Residents of long-term care facilities sometimes have little or no contact with the outside world. Many feel they lack control over thier own lives. Ombudsman are available to help these residents. What does the Long-Term Care Ombudsman do?
What types of issues does an Ombudsman handle?
Background and Authority The Long-term Care Ombudsman Program is governed by the federal Older Americans Act and by Georgia law. The Division of Aging Services of the Department of Human Resources administers the statewide Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program through 17 community programs located throughout the state. These programs are affiliated with Area Agencies on Aging and funded with federal, as well as state and local, dollars. There is no charge for services provided by the ombudsman program. However, contributions are appreciated and are used to support additional ombudsman services and activities to benefit Georgia's long-term residents. For More Information Anyone with a question or concern about long-term care, may contact the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Call or write:
The Georgia Department of Human Resources
The Elderly Legal Assistance Program in Georgia (ELAP) provides legal assistance in civil matters, housing, consumer problems, etc. to individtuals 60 years of age and older in every county in the state. The ELAP in your area provides representation by a lawyer, or a paralegal supervised by a lawyer. How much do services cost? The Elderly Legal Assistance Program, funded in part by the Older Americans Act, welcomes contributions but they are not required in order for you to be served. If you would like to make a contribution, send your donation to the office of the Area Agency on Aging or the ELAP for your area. Who is eligible for this program? The program tries to serve those in the most social and /or economic need, but any resident of Georgia who is at least 60 years of age and has a legal problem in any of the program's priority areas is eligible for assistance. What kinds of legal services are available?
Information and forms are available on Living Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney. Limited assistance with estate matters such as Last Wills & Testaments and Year's Support Applications may be available in your area. Community Education presentations are provided free of charge in your community. What can I do to see a legal worker? Make an appointment by calling the ELAP identified on the back of this brochure, your local Area Agency on Aging or the Division of Aging Services at (404) 657-5319 or 1-800-669-8387. Interviews are held at the legal workers' offices, senior citizens' centers, nutrition centers, nursing homes, personal care homes or in your own home if you are unable to meet the legal worker at any other location. What can I expect from ELAP?
What if I am not satisfied with my ELAP's services? You have the right to file a complaint or grievance with the supervisors of the ELAP worker and /or with the Director of the Area Agency on Aging for your area. If your representative was an attorney, you may also file a complaint with the State Bar of Georgia. Is there anyone at the State level that I can speak with about this program? Yes. The Legal Services Developer, an attorney with the Division of Aging Services, is responsible for coordinating and developing all Elderly Legal Assistance Programs statewide. If you have problems reaching your ELAP or your Area Agency on Aging, contact the State Legal Services Developer at (404) 657-5319 or write to the:
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