Ombudsman Program

The heart of the Long Term Care Ombudsmen Program is the team of certified Ombudsmen who are empowered to resolve issues surrounding the care and quality of life for people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen are there to represent the residents' interests. It is the residents' desires and needs that are considered and acted upon

Being an Ombudsman is an important responsibility that is taken on with great care and professionalism. In Utah, Ombudsmen are certified only after receiving extensive training.

Code of Ethics

As an Ombudsman:

• Participate in efforts to maintain and promote the integrity of the long-term care Ombudsman program.
• Act in accordance with its standards and procedures.
• Recognize the boundaries of my own level of training and skills and consult with an Ombudsman supervisor when needed.
• Provide services with respect for human dignity and the individuality of the resident unrestricted by considerations of age, social or economic status, personal characteristics or lifestyle.
• Respect and promote residents’ rights of self-determination, making every reasonable effort to act in accordance with residents’ wishes.
• Continually safeguard the confidentiality of residents and not divulge any information unless an immediate life-threatening situation overrides this discretion.
• Participate in efforts to promote a quality long-term care system.
• Avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest (including gain) in the provision of Ombudsman services within nursing or Assisted Living Homes.