§ 143B-181.19. Office of Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; Regional Ombudsman; duties. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 143B‑181.19. Office of Regional Long‑Term Care Ombudsman; Regional Ombudsman; duties.

(a)        An Office of Regional Ombudsman Program shall be establishedin each of the Area Agencies on Aging, and shall be headed by a RegionalOmbudsman who shall carry out the functions and duties of the Office.  The AreaAgency on Aging administration shall provide administrative supervision to eachRegional Ombudsman.

(b)        Pursuant to policies and procedures established by the StateOffice of Long‑Term Care Ombudsman, the Regional Ombudsman shall:

(1)        Promote community involvement with long‑term carefacilities and residents of long‑term care facilities and serve as aliaison between residents, residents' families, facility personnel, andfacility administration;

(2)        Receive and attempt to resolve complaints made by or onbehalf of residents in long‑term care facilities;

(3)        Collect data about the number and types of complaintshandled;

(4)        Work with long‑term care providers to resolve issuesof common concern;

(5)        Work with long‑term care providers to promoteincreased community involvement;

(6)        Offer assistance to long‑term care providers in stafftraining regarding residents' rights;

(7)        Report regularly to the office of State Ombudsman about thedata collected and about the activities of the Regional Ombudsman;

(8)        Provide training and technical assistance to the communityadvisory committees; and

(9)        Provide information to the general public on long‑termcare issues. (1989, c. 403.)