State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Texas Health and Human Services

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is mandated by the Older Americans Act. In Texas, the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is located in the Texas Health and Human Services. The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is independent of the Texas Health and Human Services system. This ensures the state ombudsman and all program representatives advocate for resident interests. Ombudsmen work to solve individual problems and to change policy and law to protect residents.

Long-term care (LTC) ombudsmen are advocates for residents of long-term care facilities. They help protect health, safety, welfare and rights of anybody who lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Ombudsmen can be volunteers or paid employees of agencies that are independent of any long-term care facility. Services are free, confidential and available statewide.