Specialized Information for:
Nursing HomesAssisted Living/Board & Care Home and Community Based ServicesThe Older Americans Act (OAA), enacted in 1965, is the primary vehicle for services and funding in every state that support the dignity and welfare of individuals age 60 and older. These services include home-and-community based services; nutritional programs; health promotion and disease prevention activities for seniors; and programs that protect vulnerable seniors, such as the long-term care ombudsman program.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized under the Older Americans Act (Title VII, Chapter 2, Sections 711/712) and administered at the state level. It provides residents of long-term care facilities with access to effective advocacy in order to ensure that they receive the quality of care and quality of life they deserve and are entitled to by law.
President Obama Signed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016.
The bill will help older adults age with independence and dignity in their homes and communities, and protect elders in long-term care facilities and other settings.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized under the Older Americans Act and administered at the state level. It provides residents of long-term care facilities with access to effective advocacy in order to ensure that they receive the quality of care and quality of life they deserve and are entitled to by law.
Reauthorization strengthens and improves this program’s effectiveness. It clarifies both organizational and individual conflicts of interest within the program; improves resident access to ombudsmen; better protects the confidentiality of ombudsman information; ensures that State Ombudsmen receive ongoing training; and permits ombudsmen, when feasible, to continue to serve residents transitioning from a long-term care facility to a home care setting.
Read the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 here.
Information regarding the recent reauthorization of the Older Americans Act is now available on the ACL website. Click here to find the official compilation, frequently asked questions, summary of changes, and more.
Note: Click here to read the amended FAQ regarding Ombudsman programs and conflicts of interest (ACL amended this response with additional details on 9/28/16).
Highlights of changes related to the LTCOP, elder abuse, and the funding formula for Titles III B, C & D are below.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Elder Abuse
Funding Formula for Titles III B, C & D
Click here to read more information about how the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provisions in the Older Americans Act will better protect residents of long-term care facilities.
Older Americans Act - Visit he ACL Older American Act webpage for history of OOA programs, summaries of the most recent reauthorizations, and frequenly asked questions.