Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
How We Help
Our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) is a statewide program that trains and certifies volunteer ombuds to visit long-term care facilities across the state to advocate on behalf of residents.
What Does a Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombud Do?
Certified volunteers in the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program serve persons who reside in licensed long-term care settings (such as nursing homes, assisted living, and adult family homes). An ombud works to ensure that residents in these facilities receive good quality of life and care by providing information to consumers about their rights, working to resolve problems on behalf of residents, monitoring the enforcement of the laws by DSHS, and advocating for improvements in the long-term care system. Visit the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program website by clicking here.
Contact the State Office:
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office
Multi-Service Center
P.O. Box 23699
Federal Way, WA 98093
Phone: (253) 838-6810
Information and Complaint Line: (800) 562-6028
Website: www.waombudsman.org
Online Complaint Form: www.waombudsman.org/file-a-complaint/
Patricia Hunter, State LTC Ombuds
253.838.6810, ext. 174
stateombuds@mschelps.org
Vicki Elting, Assistant State LTC Ombuds
253.838.6810, ext. 6232
vickie@mschelps.org
Cindy Sam, LTC Program Administrator
253.838.6810, ext. 173
cindys@mschelps.org
King County Information and Intake
206.623.0816
kcltcop@mschelps.org
| Counties Served | Regional Ombud/Contact Info |
|---|---|
| Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan | Erin Nelson Aging and Adult Care of Central WA Phone: (509) 886-0700, ext 232 or (800) 572-4459 Email: nelsoec@dshs.wa.gov Shawna Pringle (Asst) Aging and Adult Care of Central WA Phone: (509) 886-0700, ext 206 Email: prings@dshs.wa.gov |
| Kitsap | Dana Gargus Kitsap County Area Agency on Aging Phone: (360) 337-5714 Email: dgargus@co.kitsap.wa.us |
| Grays Harbor, Pacific, Clallum, Jefferson | Amber Garotte Olympic Area AoA/SI&A Phone: (360) 986-0657 or (800) 801-0060 Email: garroaa1@dshs.wa.gov |
| Ferry, Pend, Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman | Aaron Riley Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners Phone: (509) 456-7133 or (800) 660-7133 Email: riley@snapwa.org |
| Snohomish | Heidi L’Esperance Snohomish LTCOP Phone: (360) 862-1100 or (800) 562-6028 Email: heidil@mschelps.org |
| Pierce | Kashmiri Gavronski Pierce County Community Connections Phone: (253) 798-3789 or (800) 642-5769 Email: kgavron@co.pierce.wa.us |
| Lewis, Mason, Thurston | Paul Tosch Phone: (360) 943-6018 Email: ombudspt@localaccess.com |
| Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom | Cindy Snider Phone: (360) 853-5146 Intake: (800) 562-6028 Email: cindy.snider@mschelps.org |
| Kittitas, Yakima | Tammy Hollingsworth People for People Phone: (509) 453-0480, (800) 562-6028 Email: thollingsworth@pfp.org |
| King | Pamela Williams King County LTCOP Phone: (206) 623-0816, (800) 562-6028 Email: pamela.williams@mschelps.org or kcltcop@mschelps.org |
| Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Walla Walla | Elizabeth (Betsy) Claridge Blue Mountain Action Council Phone: (509) 520-5162 or (800) 562-6028 Email: elizabethc@bmaccww.org |
| Clark, Klickitat, Skamania,Wahkiakum, Cowlitz | Neil Degerstedt SW WA Agency on Aging and Disabilities Phone: (360) 992-4070, (800) 562-6028 Email: degernd@dshs.wa.gov |
Stories of Hope
Who makes the decisions?
“You often hear of issues around finance and healthcare decisions with Powers of Attorney and guardianships. But a huge issue we see in long-term care facilities is the guardian or POA agent restricting the elder’s [...]
Making Residents Feel Special
Earlene has been volunteering with the King County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for almost eight years. “I got involved because I saw a lot of older people not being able to advocate for themselves, they [...]
Feeding the Soul
Sarah was walking down the hall of the nursing home when a partially opened door caught her eye. She saw the name of a man and a woman on the door that she did not [...]
Be an advocate for residents of long-term care facilities
Volunteers Needed: Long-Term Care Ombuds Training Scheduled for September Long-Term Care Ombuds are "resident-directed" advocates and empower residents to use their voice to ask for what they feel they deserve. Ombuds are often the "voice" [...]
In Her Corner
At 48 years old, Tracie is younger than most people imagine when they think of someone in a long-term care facility. However, people under age 64 represent about 37 percent of those needing long-term care.* [...]
Making a difference for residents of long-term care facilities
The elderly have always held a special place in Joanne Chan's heart. She's put this compassion to good use by volunteering for the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) operated through Multi-Service Center. For [...]