The Ombudsman Program is dedicated to long-term care Residents. We strive to protect their rights and work to ensure their quality of care. Ombudsmen help bridge the gap between the residents and the community and assist the residents in retaining control of their life. A Long-Term Care Ombudsman seeks to improve the quality of life of the residents of long-term care facilities.

At Savannah's City Hall on October 8, 2001, former Mayor Floyd Adams signed a residents rights week proclamation declaring October 7-13, 2001 as Residents Rights Week for the City of Savannah.

Pam Lipsitz, Coastal LTC Ombudsman, stands next to her residents from local nursing homes while witnessing this important event to honor and celebrate all area nursing home residents. "It was our goal to raise awareness that the federal Nursing Home Reform Act guarantees residents their rights and promotes and maintains their dignity and autonomy", said Ms. Lipsitz.

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized by the federal Older Americans Act and by Georgia law. This act requires each state, through their Office on Aging, to create a statewide Ombudsman Program to "investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of older individuals who are residents of long term care facilities" (including nursing homes, assisted living (or personal care homes) and community living arrangements (or group homes).

The Georgia Division of Aging Services administers the statewide Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program through 12 community programs located throughout the state. These programs are affiliated with Area Agencies on Aging and funded with federal, as well as state and local, dollars.