Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Purpose | What is an Ombudsman | Facilities Served

New York State's first Ombudsman Program was established in Ulster County in 1977. There are trained Ombudsmen to visit Ulster County residential health care facilities, adult homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals (see the list). The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is in the forefront of advocacy efforts for patients, residents and their families. Contact the office for information at 845-229-4680 or call Hands on! The Hudson Valley, a non-profit agency administering the Ombudsman Program for Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties..

Purpose

The purpose of the Ombudsman Program is to improve the quality of life of residents by:
1) establishing a link between the resident and the community to reduce the resident's feeling of isolation, and
2) confidentially receiving, investigating and resolving residents' problems and complaints.
As Ombudsmen, our obligations include confidential complaint receipt and resolution; protection of resident rights; identification of adverse conditions affecting residents; providing information; and making referrals on behalf of residents and their families.

What is an Ombudsman?

An Ombudsmnan is a State-certified volunteer who visits adult residential health facilities, nursing homes and hospitals to act as confidant and spokesperson for the residents and their families. If a resident has worries, concerns or problems he or she does not feel comfortable telling the staff (or feels have not been resolved by the staff), the Ombudsman will review the situation and act when appropriate on behalf of the resident. This service is confidential and free to the residents and their families.

Care Facilities Served:

Residential

Hudson Valley Rehab & Extended Care Center, Highland
The Mountain View Nursing Home, New Paltz
Ten Broeck Commons, Lake Katrine
Golden Hill Care Center, Kingston
Wingate at Ulster, Highland
Northeast Center for Special Care, Lake Katrine

Hospitals

Benedictine, Kingston
Kingston Hospital, Kingston
Ellenville Hospital, Ellenville

Adult Homes

Culinarian Home Foundation, New Paltz
Hudson Valley Senior Residence, Kingston
Moran Rest Home, Gardiner

Assisted Living

Valley Vista, Highland
Village View, Highland

Training

Certified Ombudsmen receive 36 hours of training supervised by the New York State Office for the Aging and administered by the Ulster County Office for the Aging Ombudsman Coordinator. Ombudsmen are certified by the State and provide official identification for admission to the facilities they service. In addition, monthly in-service training sessions are provided where information and experiences are shared, unsolved problems discussed and mutual support offered. Confidentiality is discussed in all training sessions. Often, professionals from other agencies are brought in for consultation and guidance with the Ombudsman for the further benefit of the residents.

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