OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
A VOICE FOR LONG TERM CARE CONSUMERS
1-800-815-0015
BOALTC@wisconsin.gov
What is the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program?
Click to watch an informational video:
What is an Ombudsman?
A Long Term Care Ombudsman works with individuals and their families to protect and promote the rights of long term care consumers, while also working with long term care service providers to define and achieve the highest standards possible.
The word Ombudsman (Om-budz-man) is Scandinavian. In North America this has come to mean “helper," advocate or “voice of the people."
Who do Ombudsmen serve?
Ombudsmen have unrestricted authority to advocate on behalf of persons age 60 and older who receive their long term care services as residents or tenants of a licensed or certified long term care setting such as:
A place where adults who are not related to the operator reside and receive care, treatment or services that are above the level of room and board and that may include up to seven hours per week of nursing care per resident. The minimum age requirement for residing in an AFH is 18 years. Learn more about Adult Family Homes (AFH)
here.
Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF)
A place where adults who are not related to the operator or administrator reside and receive care, treatment or services that are above the level of room and board and that may include up to three hours per week of nursing care per resident. Adults residing in a CBRF should not require care above intermediate level nursing care. Learn more about Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF)
here.
Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC)
Five or more adults residing in a complex with independent apartments that have a lockable entrance and exit. The apartment must include a kitchen, living area, bedroom and private bathroom. Must provide up to 28 hours per week of supportive, personal and nursing services. Learn more about Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCAC)
here.
A nursing home is a facility that provides 24-hour nursing services, including room and board to five or more unrelated persons. Usually individuals living in a nursing home require access to 24-hour nursing services due to their physical or mental condition. Learn more about Nursing Homes
here.
Ombudsmen also advocate for persons who receive home and community-based services through one of the state's long term care programs:
Family Care
A long term care program that helps frail elders and adults with disabilities get the services they need to remain in their homes. Learn more about Family Care
here.
IRIS
(Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a self-directed program for Wisconsin’s frail elders and adults with disabilities. You have to be eligible for Medicaid to be in the IRIS program. Learn more about IRIS
here.
Ombudsmen do not have authority to advocate on behalf of persons who are younger than 60 years of age, persons receiving services in residential or acute mental health treatment settings, persons receiving services in a hospital or persons living in independent or unlicensed settings, unless their concerns are about their managed long term care services specifically.
Who can call an Ombudsman?
Anyone may call an Ombudsman, but the Ombudsman's only client is the long term care consumer age 60 and older. All interactions are confidential.
Ombudsmen serve statewide, are assigned by regions, and in Milwaukee County by zip code. When requesting ombudsman services please provide the county and/or name of the long term care community where the individual resides, the zip code if the individual lives in Milwaukee County, an email address or phone number for a return call, and a brief description of the concern.
