Land of Lincoln Ombudsman Program

The Project protects and improves the quality of care and quality of life for residents of long term care facilities through individual and systemic advocacy for and on behalf of residents, including the promotion and cultivation of best practices within long term care facilities, and through the promotion of family and community involvement in long term care facilities. The Project also promotes Pioneer Practices in facilities. Pioneer Practices are those practices that result in a culture change of the entire long term care environment. Specifically, the implementation of these practices change the physical environment, staff routines, authority structure and resident care in the facility into an atmosphere that is life affirming, satisfying, humane and meaningful. The Project is resident-centered and resident-directed. The resident of a long term care facility is the Project’s client, regardless of the source of the complaint or request for service. Each resident must have access to an Ombudsman whenever requested. Ombudsmen have 24-hour access to all residents.