Florida's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Bob Carroll

Contributor

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Every week I learn of an injury inflicted upon an elderly resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility in the State of Florida. Abuse and negligence often are the cause. When that is the case there is a need for our firm and other personal injury attorneys to step up and provide assistance. The effort frequently involves the filing of a claim for compensation.

There are other instances, however, where the elderly residents of long-term care facilities need a different kind of assistance. They need exactly what the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs has created, Florida's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Real People Helping Real People

Florida's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a volunteer-based organization seeking to improve the quality of life of frail, vulnerable elders who live in long-term care settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes.

By directly responding to the concerns of residents, ombudsmen advocate for one of Florida's most treasured resources. Their mission is to protect the human and civil rights of residents while ensuring their health, safety and dignity.

"Ombudsman" is a Swedish term meaning protector or defender of citizens' rights. Here in Florida, we simply call them "real people helping real people."