North Dakota State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Often low-income nursing home and assisted living facility residents are unable to advocate for themselves in the areas of social, legal, physical, and mental health. Many of these elders do not have any family in close proximity, so they may need someone else to represent them, securing their right to an acceptable quality of life while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility. The North Dakota State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, under the auspices of the State Office of Aging Services, uses AmeriCorps*VISTA members to recruit volunteers from the community who can assist vulnerable seniors. Additionally, AmeriCorps*VISTA members, trained by the State Office of Aging Services, are charged with instructing ombudsmen in how to recognize potential problems and how best to represent clients, ensuring that the least restricting alternatives provided prevent further abuse or neglect.

The purpose of the ombudsmen is to recognize potential problems and represent elderly and institutionalized clients throughout the state.

Currently, three AmeriCorps*VISTA members are actively serving 34 counties in rural North Dakota. One AmeriCorps*VISTA worker serves 18 counties, another serves 10 counties, and the third serves 6 counties. Residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are utilizing their local Ombudsman to register complaints related to care and living conditions. These are being addressed as they are brought to the institution's attention. In 2000, 743 cases were opened through the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.