Nursing Home Ombudsman

The Area Agency on Aging designates and contracts with agencies in each of our eight counties for ombudsman services. Each local program has a designated Sub-State Ombudsman, who is recognized as a representative of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Ombudsman programs work with long term care facility residents, residents' family and friends, facility staff, community groups and other local agency staff on issues that affect the quality of life of long term care facility residents.

Volunteers must meet pre-service training, on-going training, and state certification criteria. Pre-service training requirements vary depending on responsibilities assumed and range from four to eighteen hours. Volunteers responsible for complaint investigation must register with the State of Illinois Ombudsman Representative Registry.

Volunteers may perform any of the service components listed below, subject to approval of the designated sub-state ombudsman.

Investigation of Complaints: the program receives, investigates and attempts to resolve complaints made by and on behalf of the residents of long term care facilities. Complaints are problems, concerns or issues reported to, or observed by, the ombudsman about the rights of residents and the care and services available in long term care facilities.

Regular Presence in Long Term Care Facilities: the program is required to visit each licensed long term care facility in the service area at least once per year.

Public Information and Education: each ombudsman program provides information and public education about placements in nursing homes, resident rights or services available to long term care facility residents.

Advocacy: the ombudsman program receives and comments on proposed law or rules that affect long term care.

If you are interested in becoming an ombudsman volunteer, call us at (800) 528-2000 or E-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it