Ombudsman / Area Agency on Aging
An Ombudsman is a person who is an advocate for residents living in Assisted Living and Nursing Home facilities. Certified Ombudsman are resident directed advocates trained to receive complaints and assist residents to resolve problems involving quality of care, transfer and discharge, residents rights, as well as financial or family issues, and other diverse topics.
An Ombudsman’s role is also to monitor living conditions at the facilities, while visiting and talking with residents. The Ombudsman investigates residents’ complaints and works with facility staff to resolve or mediate issues. They also provide education on resident’s rights.
Your Ombudsman will visit the facility and obtain permission from the resident to:
Advocate for your rights as a resident of an Assisted Living or Nursing Home facility
Resolve concerns affecting your quality of life or care
Work with you, and your family or friends, with facility staff to meet your needs
Negotiate on your behalf
Provide education on how to self-advocate
Help you establish a Resident or Family Council
This federally mandated advocacy service is grant funded by federal and state funds and is provided at no cost to Assisted Living and Long Term care residents free of charge.
Colorado Long-Term Ombudsman Program
Region 14 Ombudsmen serve residents of the following five care facilities at this time:
Trinidad Rehabilitation and Health Care Center
409 Benedicta Ave, Trinidad CO 81082
(719) 846-9291
Legacy at Trinidad
33 Legacy Lane, Trinidad CO 81082
(719) 846-8662
Mt. San Raphael Hospital (swing beds)
410 Benedicta Ave, Trinidad CO 81082
(719) 846-9213
Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center at Walsenburg
23500 US-160, Walsenburg CO 81089
(719) 738-5100
Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center/Extended Care Unit
23500 US-160, Walsenburg CO 81089
(719) 738-5100
La Veta Village Assisted Living
109 E. Francisco Street
PO Box 143
La Veta, Colorado 81055
assisted_living@lavetavillage.org
(719) 742-3510
For more information or to request a presentation by the Region 14 LTC Ombudsman Deborah Wilson:
(719) 845-7329 or ombudsman@sccog.net