Founded in 1975, JABA is Central Virginia’s leading provider of information and services for seniors

Our Mission is to add dignity, security, independence and fulfillment to the lives of older adults and their families.

My Home For Life™

Helping Your Loved Ones Age in Place

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Your Advocate

Ombudsman is the Swedish word for "agent." JABA's Ombudsmen are agents and advocates for people who receive long-term care services, including nursing home, assisted living, or home health care services. They have been trained in dispute resolution, communication, and observation.

JABA's mission for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to improve the quality of life for those in long-term care settings, and to provide necessary support to their families.

Ombudsmen are state-certified, and receive requests for assistance from long-term care residents, their families, and friends. Service requests are also received from social service professionals, hospital staff, and other care providers.

What to do if you have a concern with a long-term provider

• Define the problem. Write it down, including what, when, and who. Can you think of a fair solution?
• If possible, share your concerns with the service provider. Give them an opportunity to resolve the issue.
• Contact JABA's Long-Term Care Ombudsman if you are not comfortable addressing the problem yourself, or if the problem remains despite your efforts. (click here for contact information)

Eligibility

Ombudsman service recipients must reside in a licensed facility or be a resident in the City of Charlottesville or the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa or Nelson.

The Ombudsman's Role

JABA's Ombudsman will:

• Investigate your complaints. Once you report your complaint, the investigation will begin within 3 working days and be completed within 45 working days.
• Maintain confidentiality when reporting to the service provider. Complaints may be reported anonymously. If you make a complaint, your identity will not be revealed without your permission or a court order.
• Assist in reaching fair solutions. If you are unable to resolve a problem on your own, the Ombudsman will work with you until all options for a resolution have been explored.

Additionally, JABA's Ombudsman can provide information to long-term care facilities, resident's families, volunteers, interest groups and the general public, for example:

Long-Term Care Search

• We will help you identify and locate services that may be available to meet current and potential future long-term care needs, including services to assess the type of care that may be needed.
• We will provide lists of all licensed LTC facilities in Planning District 10.
• We will tell you what questions to ask and what to look for when visiting the LTC facilities. Also available in the Consumer Guide section of the Medicare website.

Staff and Resident In-services

• We will explain the Ombudsman Program.
• We will describe Nursing Home Residents' Rights.
• We will also describe some aspects of elder abuse prevention or residents' rights in facilities other than nursing homes.

How You Can Help

Become a volunteer Ombudsman! Please contact Beth Hochstetler at (434) 817-5271 (to email, click here), for more information.

Contacts

Sue Drumm, Ombudsman call (434) 817-5241 or email (click here)

Beth Hochstetler, Volunteer Ombudsman Specialist call (434) 817-5271 or email (click here)

Please also visit the Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman Program (click here) for more information.

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