Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program are advocates for residents rights.  Paid and volunteer staff work to protect the quality of life and quality of care for Kansans who live in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home plus facilities. 

Ombudsman do not regulate long-term care facilities, but they do work with residents, their families, providers and other agencies to resolve problems and concerns.

Some of the ways ombudsmen help long-term care residents include:

  • Advocating for person-centered approaches by providers to meet the needs and honor the preferences of residents;
  • Working to resolve complaints and issue on behalf of residents.
  • Telling residents about their rights.
  • Providing information and support for resident and family councils.
  • Helping residents and families learn about long-term care.
  • Working to to bring about change that improves care at the local, state, and national levels.

 

Ombudsmen to Resume in Person Visits

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Due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 for residents, facility staff, and ombudsmen, the Kansas Long Term Care Ombudsman Program suspended in-person visits to residents in March 2020.
We are happy to announce Regional Ombudsman will resume conducting in-person visits the week of April 26th.

You can read more about our plan below:

Kansas Guide For Resuming Visits April 2021
Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Notice 4-23-21
For information and resources about residents' rights and visitation during Covid-19,  go to our Covid-19 information page.

Virtual Family Meetings

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Register to receive emails about our
virtual family meetings.

Please note: Virtual Family Meetings have been suspended until Fall.  Please use the link above to register if you wish to be notified when meetings resume. 

A Resource for People with Loved Ones in Long-term Care

For family and friends of residents who have questions about protocol, policies and resident rights.  The Kansas Long-term Care Ombudsman Program created this statewide resource called Virtual Family Meetings in response to the Covid-19 emergency.

Our agency offers these online meetings to help provide support for family members to help advocate on behalf of their loved one and to provide resources to help establish and support a family council in your loved one's facility.  These meetings will not address specific issues regarding a specific resident.