We know that this is a difficult time for every Long Islander, especially for staff, residents and families with a loved one residing in a long-term care facility.
The New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is a resident-centered and resident-directed advocacy program available to anyone residing in a nursing home, adult care facility or family-type home across the state.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program sponsored by Family and Children’s Association covers all of Nassau County. Ombudsmen advocate for residents to address quality of life and quality of care issues along with resident’s rights concerns.
At this time when visits to facilities have been restricted, we would like families and residents to know that our local ombudsman program must also abide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State Department of Health guidelines for no in-person visitation.
That said, our office remains fully able to accept and receive phone calls regarding any concerns or questions you may have about care. For information, please contact FCA’s Ombudsman Program directly at mcampion@fcali.org, call (516) 466-9718, or visit our agency website at www.fcali.org.
Our certified ombudsman volunteers will be ready to return to their weekly in-site duties once the visitation restriction has been lifted.
As you can imagine, residents are in much need of an advocacy program during this unprecedented time.
FCA will be scheduling our next training session when social distancing protocols are lifted, at which time we will be looking for new volunteers to become ombudsmen and help us advocate on behalf of Nassau’s long-term care residents. If you’d like to help us and your neighbors, please call us at (516) 466-9718.
Mary Clare Campion, LMSW
Regional Program Coordinator, FCA
Mineola
