This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). Part of the Executive Office on Aging, an ombudsman is primarily an advocate for residents living in a nursing home, assisted living facility, community care foster family home, or an adult or expanded adult residential care home. Having an advocate is especially important for residents who are comatose, have dementia or cannot speak for themselves.
The LTCOP is federally mandated to visit every facility at least once a quarter. With 1,779 facilities (12,895 beds) spread over six islands, that can only be accomplished with volunteers.
We are not state inspectors. We don’t cite facilities for deficiencies when regulations are violated. The state Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance does that. We champion quality of life and quality of care for all residents.
The LTCOP utilizes both staff and certified volunteers to promote its mission to provide culturally sensitive advocacy and referral services to Hawai‘i’s long-term care residents.
For more information on becoming a volunteer, use the contact information below.
STATE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN
Executive Office on Aging
Hawai‘i State Department of Health–Ka ‘Oihana Olakino
250 South Hotel St., Ste. 406 Honolulu, HI 96813
john.mcdermott@doh.hawaii.gov | C: 808-892-9306
808-586-7268 | Toll Free: 1-888-229-2231
hi-ltc-ombudsman.org | health.hawaii.gov/eoa
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