Ombudsmen are advocates for the elderly who investigate
complaints and respond to requests for assistance from older individuals living in long-term care facilities as well as from those living in the
community in residential care or assisted living facilities.
Ombudsmen provide services to protect the health, safety, welfare and
rights of the elderly.
Ombudsmen are dedicated to enhancing the lives of
long term care recipients. They support residents' rights year
round, 24/7.
Ombudsmen:
- Advocate
for residents' rights and quality care
- Educate consumers and providers
- Resolve residents' complaints
- Provide information to the public
Ombudsman services are free of charge.
Click here
to learn more about the history of the Ombudsman program.
Cathy Hart, Idaho State Ombudsman for the Elderly, can be contacted at ICOA, (208) 334-3833, or
by email at
cathy.hart@aging.idaho.gov.
Information to help you choose an assisted living
facility for potential residents, and to help people already living in
an assisted living facility maintain maximum choice and autonomy, are
available in two booklets from the Long Term Care Community Coalition
and the Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled at www.assisted-living411.org.
The Bureau of Facility Standards (within the Idaho Department of
Health and Welfare) is responsible for licensing and monitoring all
Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, and Residential and Assisted Living
facilities in Idaho.
Survey results are available on-line.
Learn the differences between Medicare
and Medicaid, and how they help with medical costs, including
nursing home and assisted living facility cost.
