What Is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care is a range of services and support for your personal care needs. Most long-term care isn't medical care – it is help with basic activities of daily living. Daily activities are things like getting in and out of bed, standing, walking, grooming, dressing, bathing or eating.

What Is an Ombudsman?

An ombudsman is an advocate or someone who helps solve problems.

The Vermont Long-Term Care Ombudsman Project promotes the rights of people getting long-term care services. We have staff members and trained volunteers who work in every part of Vermont.

We are a free service for Vermonters, no matter how much money you have. To ask for help with your long-term care questions or problems, fill in our online form or call us at 1-800-889-2047.

Vermonters receiving long-term care services have the right to quality care. They also have the right to voice their concerns. People who get long-term care services want to be treated with dignity. They want to get good care that reflects their needs and preferences.

Who Do We Help?

We help Vermonters who get long-term care services in:

• Nursing homes
• Residential care homes
• Assisted living facilities
• Adult family care homes
• The community through the Choices for Care program

What Are Our Goals?

• Advocate for quality care.
• Work to improve the quality of life for people getting long-term care services.
• Protect the rights of those getting long-term care services.

What Can We Do?

• Look into problems and concerns about long-term care services.
• Help people make their own decisions about their long-term care.
• Help people on Choices for Care get long-term services in the community.
• Visit long-term care facilities to talk with residents and monitor conditions.
• Educate facility staff and other persons providing long-term care services about the rights and concerns of people getting those services.
• Identify problem areas in the long-term care system and advocate for change.
• Provide information to the public about long-term care services and options.

For those people getting community-based long-term care services, we can help if:

• Your request for care is denied.
• You are told that you no longer qualify for services.
• You are concerned about the quality of your care or services.
• You can’t find the services you need to stay in your home.
• You have other concerns regarding your welfare.

For people living in a long-term care facility, we can help if you are worried about:

• Your care
• Your privacy
• A transfer or discharge from a facility
• Your rights as a resident
• Your roommates
• Your food
• Your finances

What Should You Know About Us?

• Communications with us are confidential.
• We only speak to others when we have your permission.
• We take direction from you.
• There is no fee for our services.
• We have offices in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, St. Johnsbury, Rutland and Springfield.
• We are here to listen to your concerns, respect your choices and preferences, and help you find solutions. You make your own decisions.  

How To Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about long-term care services in Vermont, contact us at the Vermont Long-Term Care Ombudsman Project. Fill in our online form or call us at 1-800-889-2047. You can also answer a few questions and get specific information about your long-term care questions with our Legal Help Tool.

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