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Two people speaking at a table one has long blonde hair and is sitting in a wheelchair the Ombuds has an open folder in front of him and is gesturing while wearing a t-shirt, face shield, and face mask

Consumer Information

September 17, 2024

State Reviews Reveal Concerns in Kitsap County Nursing Homes

Recent state reviews of nursing homes in Kitsap County have uncovered various issues affecting the quality of care for residents. From staffing shortages to regulatory.... Read more

September
16

September 16, 2024

WA LTC Ombudsman Program Brochure

Check out our program’s 2024 brochure, Ombuds Overview.... Read more

September
6

September 6, 2024

Seattle Area Assisted Living Costs Soar, Creating Financial Strain for Families

The rising costs of assisted living in the Seattle area are placing significant financial pressure on families. With price tags reaching record highs, many are.... Read more

September
6

September 6, 2024

Devoted Volunteers Provide Vital Support to Long-Term Care Residents, But More Help Is Needed

Volunteers play a crucial role in checking on and supporting individuals in long-term care facilities, offering companionship and ensuring their well-being. However,.... Read more

July
8

July 8, 2024

KEPRO is now “Acentra Health”

As of July 1, 2024, Kepro is officially Acentra Health, providing the same services, but with a new name and look. There are no changes that will impact the work you.... Read more

October
16

October 16, 2023

Medicare Quality Improvement Organization: KEPRO

If you have Medicare, Learn about the Rights you Have Under Medicare Kepro is the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO) for 29.... Read more

March
3

March 3, 2023

WALTCOP Volunteer Brochure

Click here to View and Download Volunteer.... Read more

March
2

March 2, 2023

Dignity for All: Staffing Standards Now!

This month marks the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s announcement of historic nursing home reforms. Creating a minimum staffing standard, which would be.... Read more

January
9

January 9, 2023

Fact Sheet: Expanding the LTC Ombuds Program 2023 State Legislative Session

Further Reading Long-Term Care Ombuds Program Funding Model Recommendations, Washington State Department of Commerce Decision Package 2023-25, Washington State.... Read more

December
7

December 7, 2022

Resident Council Handbook

From the now retired, Resident Councils of Washington” “The goal of this project is simple and singular: To create opportunities for resident of long-term.... Read more

December
7

December 7, 2022

AgeWise King County: Ombuds Volunteers Needed in King County

“We rely on trained volunteers who visit residents inside long-term care facilities. Volunteers are the eyes and ears, assessing how residents are doing. We flag.... Read more

November
30

November 30, 2022

Sequim Gazette: My life as a volunteer

By: Sequim resident Claudia Murray has 30 years of volunteering as an area long term care ombudsman at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across Clallam.... Read more

November
22

November 22, 2022

AARP: The Difference is You!

We so appreciate our allies at AARP Washington! They just published an amazing article explaining our volunteer program and our urgent need for new volunteers..... Read more

October
14

October 14, 2022

Balancing Privacy & Protection: Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents’ Rooms

You and your family members might have considered installing a surveillance camera in your room to help determine that you are receiving appropriate care and being.... Read more

October
5

October 5, 2022

Inspiring Unity within Our Community: Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Month, October 2022

Long-Term Care Residents Honored During Residents’ Rights Month, October 2022 Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities along.... Read more

September
20

September 20, 2022

Choosing Care in an Adult Family Home or Assisted Living Facility

From the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration: If you or a loved one need more care than you can get at.... Read more

September
20

September 20, 2022

New Tool: Cancellation of Debt & Other Changes to the Federal Student Loan System that Impact Older Borrowers

New tool from NCLER: the National Center on Law and Elder Rights Student loan debt is one of the biggest contributors to the rise in the amount of debt held by older.... Read more

September
14

September 14, 2022

Discharge Notification Kit

Updates: 3/15/2023 to include Request for an Administrative Hearing 6/12/2018 to include notification to the LTCO Program for “emergency transfers”. Discharge.... Read more

June
10

June 10, 2022

Resident Rights

An Overview of Resident Rights If you live in a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, such as a nursing home, boarding home (also called “assisted living facility”), adult.... Read more

May
25

May 25, 2022

DSHS Residential Care Services – ALTSA Provider/Administrator Letters

Nursing Homes Assisted Living Adult Family Homes Subscribe to updates from the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) at.... Read more

April
23

April 23, 2021

Family Councils

ISSUE: Family members in a nursing home can join together to form a united consumer voice which can communicate concerns to facility administrators and work for.... Read more

January
25

January 25, 2021

2021- 25 Common Nursing Home Problems and How to Resolve Them

Beware: these 25 problems occur across the country. They happen in cities, suburbs, and rural communities. They also happen both in “good” and “bad” nursing.... Read more

January
25

January 25, 2019

2019- 25 Common Nursing Home Problems and How To Resolve Them

Beware: these 25 problems occur across the country. They happen in cities, suburbs, and rural communities. They also happen both in “good” and “bad” nursing.... Read more

June
25

June 25, 2018

Notifying the Washington State LTC Ombuds of Facility-Initiated Discharges and Transfers

Discharges and Transfers for Nursing Homes FACT SHEET: Notifying the Washington State LTC Ombuds of Facility-Initiated Discharges and Transfers Transfer and Discharge.... Read more

November
30

November 30, 2017

Report to the Legislature: Assisted Living Facility Rates Methodology

The 2017 Legislature directed the Department of Social and Health Services (the Department) to facilitate a stakeholder workgroup review of the Medicaid payment.... Read more

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Resident Rights

An Overview of Resident Rights

If you live in a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, such as a nursing home, boarding home (also called “assisted living facility”), adult family home, or state operated veterans’ home, you have:

The same civil and legal rights as all US citizens; plus
A basic set of legally protected Resident Rights.

Resident Rights cover all aspects of your stay: from admission, to living in the facility, and discharge.

A short history of Resident Rights

People who live in long-term care facilities are more vulnerable than people who live independently. In 1987, the U. S. Congress recognized this fact and passed The Nursing Home Reform Act that gave nursing home residents additional legal protections, including a set of Resident Rights.

In 1995, the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman was successful in persuading the Washington legislature to extend Resident Rights to other LTC facilities: boarding homes, adult family homes, and state operated veterans’ homes.

Resident Rights put you in charge

Resident Rights enable you to direct all aspects of your stay in a LTC facility. For example, you have the right to make decisions regarding your plan of treatment, how you conduct your personal life, and at what time and location you want to be discharged from the facility.

Knowing and advocating for your rights is critical to a successful stay in a LTC facility. You, your representative, or a legally appointed guardian can exercise your rights. A long-term care ombudsman can explain and help you exercise your rights.

What can you do if your rights are being violated?

Whether you live in a nursing home, a boarding home (“assisted living facility”), an adult family home, or a state operated veterans’ home, you or your advocate can pursue these options one at a time, simultaneously, and in any order:

Talk directly to facility staff
File a written grievance with the facility
Voice your concern and get support at a Resident Council meeting
Call your local LTC Ombudsman for advice and/or request their help and involvement (See the list of LTC Ombudsmen by County)
Call the DSHS Complaint Hotline (1-800-562-6078) and report your concern.
- You will be asked to leave a message.
- Provide specific details about your concern, your name and phone number, and a good time to reach you.
- DSHS will call you back.
You also have the option to remain anonymous to the facility, DSHS, or to both entities.

Retaliation, Coercion or Interference

It is illegal to retaliate against residents in any way for talking to the ombudsman or filing a complaint or grievance. It is also illegal for a facility to interfere with the ombudsman’s duties, including the investigation of complaints or provision of information to residents, families and others. Residents have the right to meet privately with the ombudsman and to have these conversations remain confidential. The ombudsman’s investigations and records are also confidential, unless disclosure is approved.

To view the complete Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENT RIGHTS, Chapter 70.129 visit https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.129