State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs P.O. Box 61 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0061
Phone: (225) 342-9723 Toll-Free: (866) 632-0922 Email: StateOmbudsman@la.gov
Long-Term Care Ombudsmen investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes that serve individuals who are elderly or disabled. Ombudsmen also assist consumers and potential consumers with the process of choosing a facility.
Ombudsman Program FAQ
Who are ombudsmen? Ombudsmen are individuals who are trained to respond to the problems and needs of residents of nursing facilities and other long-term care facilities.
What do ombudsmen do? Ombudsmen work to protect and promote the rights of residents of long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen work with residents, their families, facilities, community organizations, and other interested parties to address concerns that affect the lives of residents. Ombudsmen listen, provide information, assist residents in solving problems, and help families identify suitable long-term care facilities for loved ones.
What kinds of problems do ombudsmen respond to? Ombudsmen respond to any problem, complaint, or concern a resident may have. Common problems are with the quality of care, food, finances, activities, visitation, and the ability to exercise their rights as a resident or citizen.
Who should contact an ombudsman? Anyone who has questions or concerns about the care or treatment a resident is receiving should contact an ombudsman. How do you contact an ombudsman? Ombudsmen visit the facility regularly. You can talk to the ombudsman during one of these regular visits or view the list of Ombudsman Coordinators below.
Ombudsmen services are confidential and free of charge.
Service Providers by Regions and Parishes Served
NOTE: Some of the toll-free 800 numbers below are within Louisiana ONLY. If calling from outside Louisiana, you may need to use the non-toll-free phone numbers or contact the State Office via its toll-free number: 866-632-0922. The State Office will ask the local office to contact you.
ALEXANDRIA REGION Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, and Winn Carolyn Smith, Ombudsman Coordinator Cenla Area Agency on Aging Post Office Box 13027 Alexandria, LA 71315 Office: (318) 484-2260 or (800) 454-9573 Fax: (318) 484-2266 carolynsmith@cenlaaging.org
BATON ROUGE REGION Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Lafourche, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Peggy Essick, Ombudsman Coordinator Capital Area Agency on Aging Post Office Box 66038 Baton Rouge, LA 70896 Office: (225) 928-8775 or (800) 833-9883 Work Cell: (225) 229-5431 Fax: (225) 922-2528 pessick@capitalaaa.org
LAFAYETTE REGION Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Dana Adams, Ombudsman Coordinator Cajun Area Agency on Aging Post Office Drawer 60850 Lafayette, LA 70596-0850 Office: (337) 572-8940 or (800) 738-2256 Fax: (337) 572-8974 d.adams@lusfiber.net
LAKE CHARLES REGION Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vernon Charles Campbell, Ombudsman Coordinator Calcasieu Council on Aging 3950 Gerstner Memorial Blvd. Lake Charles, LA 70607 Office: (337) 312-1059 or (800) 223-5872 Work Cell: (337) 794-4235 Fax: (337) 474-6563 ccampbell@calcoa.org
MONROE REGION Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll Anna Horne, Ombudsman Coordinator Cenla Area Agency on Aging Post Office Box 13027 Alexandria, LA 71315 Office: (318) 387-0535 ext. 202 or (800) 454-9573 Fax: (318) 322-0545 annahorne@cenlaaging.org
NEW ORLEANS REGION Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Tanya Hayes, Ombudsman Coordinator Capital Area Agency on Aging Post Office Box 66038 Baton Rouge, LA 70896 Office: (504) 909-0672 or (800) 833-9883 Work Cell: (504) 909-0672 Fax: (225) 922-2528 thayes@capitalaaa.org
SHREVEPORT REGION Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster
Casandra Cesare, Ombudsman Coordinator Caddo Council on Aging 1700 Buckner St., Suite 240 Shreveport, LA 71101 Office: (318) 676-7900 or (800) 256-3003 Work Cell: (318) 317-9271 Fax: (318) 676-7911 ccesare@caddocoa.org
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Click Here for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Brochure
For information regarding Residents' Rights: Nursing Home Residents' Bill of Rights (State Laws)
Nursing Home Residents' Rights (Federal Regulations)
ARCP Resident Rights (State Law)
For information regarding Nursing Homes: The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care Nursing Home Comparison Site Long-Term Care Community Coalition
For information about culture change in nursing homes: Pioneer Network
For more information regarding the regulatory agency that enforces compliance in health care facilities: Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section
Health Standards Complaint Form
Complaint Form can be submitted to: HSSComplaints@la.gov
For information regarding alternatives: Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Aging and Adult Services
- Elderly and Disabled Waiver
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Adult Day Health Care Waiver
- Personal Care Services
For information regarding Assisted Living facilities: Louisiana Assisted Living Association (LALA) Argentum
For information regarding Long-Term Care Insurance: Louisiana Department of Insurance
Interested in beComing a volunteer? Call (504) 782-6640 Or Click here → Volunteer Ombudsman Application
For questions about this webpage, please contact the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at StateOmbudsman@la.gov
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