Ohio Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

10/09/2026

Meet our latest cohort of ombudsmen in the midst of their ombudsman specialist (OS) certification training. Ombudsmen complete 100 hours of training, a combination of in-field shadowing and classroom training, and then pass an exam to receive their OS certification. Welcome to our newest Long-Term Care Ombudsmen!

10/08/2026

Residents living in Ohio's 940 nursing homes, 800 assisted living, and over 850 adult group homes have the right to make choices about their activities, schedules, and health care. Residents should participate in the development of a person-centered plan of care that incorporates personal and cultural preferences. These are just a few of the residents' rights spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code 3721.13 and 5122-30-22.1 Contact your local ombudsman to learn more about residents' rights, see the link below.

10/07/2026

Attention: Nursing Home Resident Council Presidents

If you are the president of a nursing home resident council, join us next week on October 13th at 10:00 AM for a statewide call of resident council presidents. At this quarterly webinar we will explore the 36 residents' rights that are spelled out in state law to protect the dignity, safety, and quality of life of nursing home residents. Register at the link in the comments, or contact your local ombudsman for more information

10/06/2026

Everyone living in Ohio's 940 nursing homes, 800 assisted living and over 850 adult group homes deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Residents should always be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Residents have the right to use of personal belongings, security of their possessions, and to exercise their rights without interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. These are just a few of the rights spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code (3721.13 and 5122-30-22.1) for residents of long-term care. Contact your local ombudsman to learn more about residents' rights. Find the link below in the comments

10/05/2026

Thank you and congrats to our own Julie Esack and Ashley Cart of Direction Home Ombudsman and Advocacy for presenting at last week's Consumer Voice Annual Conference in St. Louis. Their presentation, "Advocating for the Voiceless: Beyond the Verbalized Complaint" focused on the ombudsman advocacy work in Memory Care settings. Ombudsmen learn how to spot unspoken needs, amplify resident voices, and challenge the status quo of "secured" care to advocate for this population. Thank you, Julie and Ashley, for all you do!

10/05/2026

It’s Cybersecurity Month!
Scammers are getting smarter — and they're targeting older adults more than ever. Be cautious of calls, texts, or emails that look official but ask for personal information or demand quick action. If something feels off, it probably is. Stay alert, ask questions, and never share sensitive information with unexpected contacts.

Learn more: aging.ohio.gov/FraudAndScams

10/02/2026

One of the core services of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman is to educate residents on the rights they have living in nursing homes, assisted living, and adult group homes. The Ohio Revised Code spells out certain protections related to the health, safety, welfare, and self-determination. Throughout October we will highlight those rights and empower residents to speak up for excellence in their quality of care and quality of life. Find your local ombudsman at the link in the comments.

10/01/2026

Thank you Governor Mike DeWine for recognizing October as National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month in Ohio! We want to celebrate all those who live in nursing homes, assisted living, and adult group homes. Throughout the month we'll highlight the residents' rights that are spelled out in the Ohio Revised Code, and the role of the ombudsman in helping to protect resident health, safety, welfare and rights. Stay tuned for more, and find your local ombudsman in the link in the comments.

09/24/2026

Coming Soon...Open Enrollment for Next Generation MyCare.
If you’re enrolled in the Next Generation MyCare program (Medicare + Medicaid combined), you can choose from Anthem, Buckeye, CareSource, or Molina. Medicare’s enrollment window runs October 15–December 7.
You’ll get letters and emails from the Ohio Department of Medicaid with plan details, answers to frequently asked questions, and helpful contacts. And if you’re satisfied with your current coverage, you don’t have to make any changes.
To find out more about Open Enrollment, please call the Ohio Medicaid Hotline at 800-324-8680 (TTY 711) or go to the Ohio Medicaid Hotline website. If you have questions about Medicare, you can call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or visit the Medicare website. TTY users should call (877) 486-2048.

09/21/2026

True! And affirmed in Ohio Administrative Code 5160-3-02(C)(4). Always read the contracts you are signing, looking for words like "responsible party" or "financial guarantor". As a best practice, if you are signing documents for your loved one, write next to your signature "Signer as Agent/Representative Only - no personal financial liability".

Did you know? Federal law prohibits a nursing facility from requiring third parties such as family members or friends to sign an agreement to be personally financially liable for a resident’s care.

Need help advocating for yourself or your loved one in a nursing facility? Give us a call. 800-421-7277, then press 4.