North Georgia Programs and Services Long-Term Care Ombudsman

10/27/2026

We're thrilled to share that Mayor Zack Thompson has officially proclaimed October 2026 as Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month in the City of Gainesville, Georgia!

Our ombudsman, Trisha Brown, met with the Mayor this morning to accept the proclamation, which recognizes the importance of dignity, self-determination, and protecting the rights of people living in long-term care.

This recognition is a meaningful reminder that residents' voices matter—not just during October, but every day of the year.
Every resident deserves to be heard, respected, included in decisions about their care, and supported in living life on their own terms.

Thank you to Mayor Thompson and the City of Gainesville for helping shine a light on residents' rights and the importance of advocacy in our communities!

𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗠 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛 | Mayor Zack Thompson recently issued a proclamation on behalf of the City of Gainesville, Georgia declaring October Long-Term Care Residents Rights Month, an annual observance honoring those living in long-term care facilities, including nursing and personal care homes, and assisted living communities.

By spotlighting Long-Term Care Residents Rights Month, communities like Gainesville seize an important opportunity to focus on and raise awareness for the dignity, respect and rights of long-term care residents. The state of Georgia alone has 86,000 individuals residing in 367 nursing homes and 2,502 personal care homes and assisted living communities. Across the United States, 1.2 million persons live in 14,700 nursing homes, while 1 million-plus live in 32,200 assisted living and residential care facilities.

In addition to Long-Term Care Residents Rights Month, the local proclamation supports the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, both of which aim to improve the quality of care and quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities while guaranteeing their rights to dignity and autonomy.

The action was taken Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the latest regular meeting of the Gainesville City Council, held in the municipal courtroom at the Roy Franklin Hooper Jr. Public Safety Building.

📸 | Mayor Zack Thompson, right, presents a proclamation declaring October Long-Term Care Residents Rights Month to Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Representative Trisha Brown.

10/26/2026

Congratulations to our staff and volunteers! Several of our NorthGAPS staff and volunteers received special recognition for their dedication and service to long-term care residents in our region.

10/26/2026

Celebrating Our Staff and Volunteers! 👏🎉

A proud moment for the NorthGAPS Ombudsman program! Several of our NorthGAPS staff and volunteers received special recognition for their dedication and service to long-term care residents in our region.

Please join us in congratulating:

Newly Certified Ombudsman Representatives:
Congratulations to Charissa Gibson, Linda Bennett, and Jason Stewart, who obtained their Long-Term Care Ombudsman certification in the past year!

Beginning their Ombudsman Service:
We also recognized Anita Annafi and Kayla McCloud who joined the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and began their certification training in the past year!

5 years of Service:
Beth Bennett

10 years of Service:
Inger Jones

The Jim Derick Ombudsman Volunteer of the Year:
This award recognizes Ombudsman Volunteers who have made an important and invaluable contribution to Long-Term Care Residents and to the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. A special congratulations to Inger Jones, Senior Certified Volunteer, for receiving this outstanding recognition!

Whether just beginning their Ombudsman journey or celebrating years of dedicated service, each individual plays an important role in advocating for the rights of residents living in our region's long-term care communities. We are proud of every member of our team and grateful for the compassion and commitment they bring to this important role.

10/22/2026

🌟 Legacy Link Dementia Care Group Education Programs 🌟
Serving Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties.

Legacy Link is proud to offer FREE dementia education programs for individuals, caregivers, and senior groups. These sessions help our community better understand dementia and provide support for those affected.

💙 For Everyone:
🧠 Dementia Friends (1 hour) – Learn how dementia affects people and how you can make a positive difference.
🪑 Ageless Grace (1 hour) – A fun, chair-based brain fitness program that keeps participants moving and thinking through play.

💚 For Caregivers:
🔄 Responding to Changes (1 hour) – Understand common changes in dementia and gain practical tips for responding with confidence and compassion.

💜 For Senior Groups:
🎵 Music & Memory Bingo (1 hour) – A lively, music-filled twist on bingo, featuring trivia, prizes, and insights into dementia vs. normal aging.

📩 Interested in booking a free training?
Email: [email protected]

Call: Veronica Reidling – (706) 564-3246

Learn more at 🌐 www.LegacyLink.org

Connecting our community to knowledge, support, and a better quality of life. 💛

10/20/2026

A complaint isn't a problem. It's a voice asking to be heard.

Sometimes, speaking up takes courage.

A resident in long-term care may be unhappy with their care, uncomfortable with a daily routine, concerned about how they're being treated, or simply feel that their preferences aren't being respected. And sometimes, the person who speaks up is labeled difficult, demanding, or uncooperative.

But asking questions isn't being difficult. Expressing a preference isn't being demanding. And raising a concern isn't causing trouble. It's exercising a right.

People living in long-term care have the right to voice grievances about their care and treatment without fear of discrimination or retaliation. They deserve to have their concerns taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

And they don't have to navigate those concerns alone.
Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents. We listen to their concerns, help them understand their rights, and work toward resolving issues based on their wishes and direction.

During Residents' Rights Month, let's remember that a complaint isn't something to silence or dismiss. It's an opportunity to listen, understand, and do better.

10/20/2026

The Federal Trade Commission issued its latest report to Congress on protecting older adults, which highlights key trends based on fraud reports submitted by older adults and the FTC’s efforts to c

10/19/2026

Residents' Rights Month is being recognized in Dawsonville!

We're thrilled to share that Mayor Walden has officially proclaimed October 2026 as Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month in the City of Dawsonville!

Our ombudsman, Trisha Brown, met with the Mayor this morning to accept the proclamation, which recognizes the importance of dignity, self-determination, and protecting the rights of people living in long-term care.

This recognition is a meaningful reminder that residents' voices matter - not just during October, but every day of the year.

Every resident deserves to be heard, respected, included in decisions about their care, and supported in living life on their own terms.

Thank you to Mayor Walden and the City of Dawsonville for helping shine a light on residents' rights and the importance of advocacy in our communities!

What's up in Dawsonville

10/19/2026

Check out our Letter to the Editor in Forsyth County News regarding Residents' Rights Month.

https://www.forsythnews.com/opinion/letters-from-citizens/opinion-october-is-national-long-term-care-residents-rights-month/

If you or someone you know has questions regarding , please reach out to our office.

10/15/2026

Why do we knock?

Not just because it's a rule.
Because behind that door is someone's home.

For those who work in long-term care, it's easy to become accustomed to walking through hallways and entering rooms throughout the day. But for the person living there, that doorway marks the boundary between their personal space and the rest of the world.

A knock says, “I recognize that this is your space.”

Waiting for a response says, “I respect your right to privacy.”

Something as ordinary as entering a room can become a reminder of how much control a person has—or doesn't have—over their own space. Asking permission before entering says, “You still have a say in what happens in your home.”

During Residents' Rights Month, we're reminded that dignity isn't always found in grand gestures. Sometimes, it's found in the smallest moments.

10/13/2026

Our October newsletter is out now!

If you'd like to receive updates and information on resident rights and other long-term care-related issues, please subscribe now: http://eepurl.com/RZZbQvWVnC