What is the Ombudsman Program?

The Ombudsman Program is an advocacy program that protects the health, safety, welfare, and civil rights of people living in nursing homes and adult care facilities. Our Certified Ombudsmen advocate for residents’ rights and ensure that their unmet needs and complaints are resolved.

What is an Ombudsman?

Ombudsman are trained and certified volunteer advocates who are passionate about the well-being of people living in nursing homes or adult care facilities. They can help resolve your complaints, provide information about your rights, and advocate on your behalf for high standards of quality care.

There will be a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Training on September 6, 8, 9, and 13 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day.

If you are interested in becoming an Ombudsman, please contact Jeff Parker at jparker@ariseinc.org.

The Inspector General's Office is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that State government, its employees and those who work with the state meet the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and efficiency.

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An advocacy organization for seniors that focus on health, housing and personal finance issues. Call for details

The New York State Office for the Aging has contracted with agencies around the state to administer a Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). ""Ombudsman"" is a Swedish term meaning ""citizen representative"" or ""one who speaks on behalf of othersö in long term care facilities.

LTCOP provides advocacy for individuals residing in long term care facilities including nursing homes, adult homes, enriched housing, family type homes, and assisted living facilities in Westchester County. LTCOP staff and trained volunteers - Ombudsmen - receive, investigate and resolve complaints and concerns of residents of long term care facilities and their families. LTCOP functions under the umbrella of the New York State Office for the Aging, under provisions of the Older Americans Act.

Education, referral and advocacy; Membership is open to any organization, agency and/or entity whose members are committed to NYCEANÆs mission and are interested or engaged in legislation, funding, research, policy, development, administration, program planning, service delivery, education, training, and advocacy concerning the abuse or neglect of older people.

Acting out of the core values of our Christian faith, the Greater Rochester Community of Churches Faith in Action Network gathers congregations and people from diverse communities to build relationships and support initiatives based on spiritual and community values that advocate, model, and celebrate basic human rights.

Advocates can help people with:

• Information & Referral – help finding services.

• Department of Social Services:

--- Assisting with Food Stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance Applications.

--- Determining if the Medicaid Savings Plan can assist with paying for one’s Medicare Part B Premium.

--- Assisting with the HEAP application process

• Social Security – Assisting with SSI/SSDI applications and determining options for those who have an overpayment.

• Community Supplemental Needs Medicaid Trust:

--- This service is for people who have SSDI, allowing them to be able to pay their Medicaid excess income/spend down and also be able to pay their monthly bills and live in the community.

--- If one is over 65 years of age and now requires Medicaid for medical expenses and/or to stay in one’s home, there may be various options available.

• NY State Olmstead Plan – transitioning from or avoiding enrollment in a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – protects one’s rights.

• Meeting Basic Needs – assistance with food, homelessness, etc.

• Capacity Building for Independent Living Centers (ILC) – if one speaks Burmese/Karen, Russian, Bosnian, or Spanish and has a disability, then they may be eligible for certain services!

• American Sign Language Interpreter

Legal Services of Central New York operates The Advocacy Group which assists people with poverty law issues. Provides help with housing problems, evictions, public benefits, education, employment, unemployment benefits, consumer problems, and access to health care.

Offers advocacy for seniors having difficulty with apartment rental, homecare, HEAP, doctor referral, Medicare, telephone, Meals on Wheels, tax forms, State STAR Tax Program, Estate Planning, Elderly Law, and Lawyer Referral, etc. Also provides information and referrals to resources in the community. Ramps, accessible bathrooms