Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
How We Help
Ensuring the rights, dignity, and well-being of individuals living in long-term care today and tomorrow.
The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocates for the rights of long-term residents living in licensed long-term care settings such as nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. Our purpose is to protect and promote Resident Rights guaranteed to residents under federal and state laws. We are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer/discharges, abuse, discrimination, financial exploitation and other aspects of resident dignity and rights. During the pandemic, we worked passionately to advocate for visitation rights, transparency, testing and vaccination access and eviction rights. We advocate for the wishes of the vulnerable adult, not the facility or healthcare system. The Office of the State Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman works closely with other advocates, policy makers, legislators, and the Governor’s office on laws and policies that will improve the lives of long-term care residents across the state.
The program depends on a statewide group of paid and volunteer certified long-term care ombuds to visit residents in their care homes, receive their complaints and work to resolve them. We have partnerships with nonprofits and Area Agencies on Aging to deliver ombudsman services in local communities.
Who can use the Ombudsman Program?
- Residents of licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes and Veteran’s Homes.
- Relatives and friends of residents in long-term care facilities.
- Administrators and employees of long-term care facilities, hospitals, or other healthcare settings.
- Any group or individual concerned about the welfare of residents of long-term care facilities.
- The community-at-large.
Why volunteer?
Volunteer ombuds are the backbone of the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. They are the first line of protection against elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in long-term care facilities. Ombuds provide information about resident’s rights and available resources. Ombuds also obtain information about resident’s complaints, assist with protecting their rights, and assure that they receive fair treatment from service providers. All interactions are highly confidential, and we work on behalf of the resident only.
If you are interested in joining this extraordinary group of individuals who are working to protect resident rights in Washington State, please consider volunteering. Click here to fill out the interest form and a regional program person will contact you with further information.
The Office of the State LTC Ombudsman Program is operated by the Multi-Service Center under contract with the Department of Commerce. The Office is independent, and authorized to act under federal and state laws, but it is not a part of state government. To learn more about this vital program please visit the program’s website at https://www.waombudsman.org. You can also file a complaint or concern online through the website.
Also, be sure to check out our new podcast, “Please Knock Before Entering” wherever you find your podcasts!
COMPLAINT AND INFORMATION LINE: 1-800-562-6028
TTY: 1-800-737-7931
Contact the State Office:
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office
Multi-Service Center
1200 S. 336th St.
Federal Way, WA 98003
Office Phone: (253) 838-6810
Complaint and Information Line: (800) 562-6028
Fax: (253) 815-8173
Website: www.waombudsman.org
Online Complaint Form: www.waombudsman.org/file-a-complaint/
Patricia Hunter, State LTC Ombuds
(253) 838-6810, ext. 174
[email protected]
Vicki Elting, Assistant State LTC Ombuds
(253) 838-6810, ext. 6232
[email protected]
King County Information and Intake
(206) 623-0816
[email protected]
Snohomish County Information and Intake
(360) 862-1100
[email protected]
North Counties Information and Intake
(360) 853-5146
[email protected]
| Counties Served | Regional Ombuds/Contact Info |
|---|---|
| Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan | Laura Chouinard People for People Phone: (509) 504-6569 Email: [email protected] |
| Kitsap | Dana Gargus Kitsap County Area Agency on Aging Phone: (360) 337-5714 Email: [email protected] |
| Grays Harbor, Pacific | Amber Garotte Olympic Area AoA/SI&A Phone: (360) 986-0657 or (800) 801-0060 Email: [email protected] |
| Clallum, Jefferson |
Edward Guzman |
| Ferry, Pend, Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman | Richard Danford Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners Phone: (509) 456-7627 x5211 or (800) 660-7133 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] |
| Snohomish | Heidi L’Esperance Snohomish LTCOP Phone: (360) 862-1100 or (800) 562-6028 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] |
| Pierce | Kashmiri Gavronski Pierce County Community Connections Phone: (253) 798-3789 or (800) 642-5769 Email: [email protected] |
| Lewis, Mason, Thurston | Susan Howard Lewis-Mason-Thurston LTCOP Phone: (360) 214-9292 Email: [email protected] |
| Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom | Roberta Crawford Northwest Region LTCOP Phone: (360) 853-5146 Intake: (800) 562-6028 Email: [email protected] |
| Kittitas, Yakima | Sandy Durand People for People Phone: (509) 907-4097 Email: [email protected] |
| King | Pamela Williams King County LTCOP Phone: (206) 623-0816 or (800) 562-6028 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] |
| Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Walla Walla | Elizabeth (Betsy) Claridge Blue Mountain Action Council Phone: (509) 520-5162 or (800) 562-6028 Email: [email protected] |
| Clark, Klickitat, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz | Neil Degerstedt SW WA Agency on Aging and Disabilities Phone: (360) 694-9007 or (800) 562-6028 Email: [email protected] |
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