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    About Us

    The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) advocates for Minnesota adults needing or receiving long-term care. The office promotes person-directed living that respects people's values and preferences, and works to preserve individual rights. Ombudsmen and volunteers work with individuals, their families, health care and service providers and public agencies to ensure the health, safety, well-being and rights of long-term care consumers. The office also works to improve the health care and social services delivery systems through changes in state and federal law and policy.

    OOLTC is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging. All services provided by our program are free. 

    How the Program Works

    OOLTC does not regulate long-term care facilities, but we do work with residents, their families, providers and other agencies to resolve complaints and concerns. Regional Ombudsmen and Certified Ombudsman Volunteers are assigned to designated regions throughout Minnesota and work directly with residents to protect and honor residents by:

    • Advocating to improve the quality of care and quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities. 
    • Providing information and assistance about consumer rights, facilities regulations, long-term care options, supports and services in long-term care facilities and in the community. 
    • Empowering residents to self-advocate.
    • Investigating and resolving complaints about quality of care or services, quality of life, rights violations, access to services, discharge or eviction concerns, and public benefit programs.
    • Maintaining confidentiality. Ombudsmen may not discuss or disclose any information without the resident's individual permission. 

    Serving 

    Our program's services are free of charge and serve:

    • Anyone seeking information about long-term care services.
    • Individuals 18 or older who are a current resident, a prospective resident, or a former resident of a long-term care facility such as a nursing home, boarding care home residents, adult care homes, assisted living, customized living or foster care.
    • Individuals receiving home care services.
    • Friends and family members of individuals living in or needing long-term care services.
    • Medicare beneficiaries with hospital access or discharge concerns. 
    • Long-term care facility staff members and administrators with resident-related concerns.

    Authority 

    The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is authorized under the Older Americans Act (OAA) and administered at the state level. The OAA created the Administration on Aging (AoA) at the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to manage grant programs and to serve as the federal focal point on matters concerning older adults. Learn more about the duties and power of the ombudsman office under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.9742 and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs rule.

    Learn More 

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