Dear Margaret

I am worried about my mother’s care in her nursing home. Whenever I visit, she seems very withdrawn and depressed. I don’t think she is eating her meals and her room is usually dirty.  When I ask her about this, she says, “Everything is fine.”  I think she is afraid to complain and to speak up.  When I ask the staff, they seem uninterested in her care.  Where can I go to get some straight answers?

Signed, Very Concerned Daughter

Dear Very Concerned,

Federal law ensures that the civil and human rights of all residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities are protected. Larimer County’s Office on Aging has a Long Term Care Ombudsman Program with staff and volunteers to help you.

Ombudsmen serve as advocates for LTC residents; they are problem-solvers, mediators, and objective investigators of complaints. Ombudsmen visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities and are trained to investigate concerns about the welfare of residents. The ombudsmen can assist families with complaints, or they can help the family learn how to work out problems on their own. All matters are kept confidential, unless you give the ombudsman permission to share your concerns.

Ombudsmen work directly with concerned family members as well as with the administration and staff of the LTC facility. Meeting the needs of the resident is always the top priority of every ombudsman.

For more information about the local Ombudsman Program please call (970) 498-7754.