---
title: "Long-term care ombudsman: free help for residents"
description: "Long-term care ombudsmen advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. What they do, how to reach one, and when to call."
url: https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/long-term-care-ombudsman/
updated: 2026-10-10
site: Senior Choice Care
---

Explainer

# The long-term care ombudsman

Every state has an ombudsman program for people living in long-term care. It's free and on the resident's side.

**2 minute read** Updated October 9, 2026Written by the Senior Choice Care team

In short

A long-term care ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, assisted living and similar homes. Ombudsmen help resolve complaints about care, rights and quality of life, give residents information, and represent their interests before government agencies. Services are free and confidential, and the resident directs what happens.

**Written by the Senior Choice Care team** Updated October 9, 2026. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end of this page. General information; every family is different.

## When to call

- Concerns about care or staff response
- Questions about rights or a discharge notice
- Help choosing a facility

## How to reach one

ACL's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program page links to each state's program.

## Questions families ask

### What does an ombudsman do?

Advocates for residents, resolves complaints and explains rights.

### Is the ombudsman free?

Yes.

### Can family call the ombudsman?

Yes, though the resident decides how the ombudsman proceeds.

### Is the ombudsman part of the facility?

No. It's an independent program.

## Sources

- [ACL: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program](https://acl.gov/programs/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program)
- [The Consumer Voice: About the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program](https://theconsumervoice.org/about-ombudsman-program/)

## Read next

- [Check a provider](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/)
- [Signs of elder abuse](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/signs-of-elder-abuse/)
- [Nursing home inspections](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/nursing-home-inspection-reports/)
- [Assisted living inspections](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/assisted-living-inspection-reports/)
- [Home Health Compare](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/home-health-compare/)
- [Hospice Compare](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/hospice-compare/)
- [Nursing Home Compare](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/nursing-home-compare/)
- [Provider scorecard](https://seniorchoicecare.com/check-a-provider/provider-scorecard/)

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