The National LTC Ombudsman Resource Center

10/13/2026

Individuals receiving long-term services and supports retain their voting rights, no matter where they live or what type of care they receive. Visit the Consumer Voice website for a resident voter guide, a fact sheet for Ombudsman programs, and more. https://theconsumervoice.org/voting-rights/

10/06/2026

October is Residents’ Rights Month! This year’s theme, Join Us at the Table, highlights the central role that food, mealtime, and community play in residents’ daily lives. Learn more about RRM, access promotional materials and resources, and share how you are celebrating residents’ rights! https://theconsumervoice.org/2026-residents-rights-month/

09/29/2026

This resource, developed by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), provides State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs with model policies and procedures to clarify and support the program’s vital role in emergency planning and response. https://tinyurl.com/yd8rp775

09/22/2026

Review this resource to learn basic emergency management terms and definitions that are useful when communicating with emergency management professionals.https://ltcombudsman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/emergency-management-dictionary.pdf

09/15/2026

This fact sheet shares recommendations for Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs during an emergency such as having phone lists of work colleagues and a copy of all long-term care facilities’ addresses and phone numbers readily available. https://bit.ly/4qJGtVw

09/08/2026

Tune into this 10-minute video to learn about the Ombudsman program role in emergency preparedness. It covers key terms, the basics of emergency preparedness, Ombudsman program advocacy considerations, and other resources. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K99kUUmPHm4

09/03/2026

A long-term care Ombudsman is an advocate that helps protect the rights, dignity, safety, and quality of life of people living in long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen educate residents and families about their rights, investigate and help resolve complaints about issues such as poor care, neglect, abuse, food, communication, or improper discharge, and work with facilities and government agencies to address problems. They also make regular visits to facilities, monitor conditions and advocate for broader improvements to long-term care. Importantly, the Ombudsman works on behalf of the resident, and services are provided at no cost; complaints are handled confidentially and with the resident’s wishes guiding the process.

Amity Overall-Laib, NORC Director, Mairead Painter, Connecticut State Ombudsman, and Crista Barnett, California Ombudsman Program Representative, are quoted in the article.

From resolving care disputes to reporting neglect, learn how a long-term care ombudsman protects the rights and safety of nursing home residents.

09/01/2026

Every long-term care facility should have an emergency plan in place that supports residents during a crisis. This fact sheet shares questions residents should ask regarding their long-term care facility’s emergency preparedness plan. https://bit.ly/4insfYv

08/31/2026

This Ombudsman program infographic has been updated with 2025 NORS data and provides a brief overview of the work Ombudsman programs do and the impact they have around the nation. This infographic can be used for volunteer recruitment or program promotion.
https://ltcombudsman.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/program-promo.pdf

08/28/2026

In this thank you message, Beverly Laubert, National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Coordinator at the Administration for Community Living (ACL), thanks Ombudsman representatives and volunteers for their commitment to improving the lives of long-term care residents.

She highlights the vital role of community engagement, encourages advocates to use their experiences to strengthen resident-directed advocacy at both the individual and systems levels, and emphasizes the importance of volunteers. Her message serves as a reminder of the meaningful difference Ombudsman representatives make every day by promoting residents' rights, empowering residents to speak for themselves, and helping resolve concerns in long-term care communities.

Share this video with your program to thank them for their work and promote the work of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. https://youtu.be/QLBQqWmOaN0?si=ZI5ierqYjW9LbI_u