State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
What is Mississippi’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program?
For residents in long-term care facilities, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman provides services that protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of residents through leadership, oversight, and monitoring. The Ombudsman Program is authorized by the Older Americans Act and the Ombudsman services are always confidential and free.
An Ombudsman (awm-budzman) is an individual who advocates for the rights of residents living in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities. An ombudsman also strives to be the voice for residents while encouraging self-advocacy by providing education about residents’ rights.
*Anyone who needs assistance for a long-term care resident or facility should contact the toll-free number at 1-888-844-0041
The Mission of Mississippi’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to:
- Enhance the quality of life of each resident
- Ensure the highest level of personal care
- Protect individuals’ rights
- Seek resolution of problems in a professional manner
Our Services
Residents’ Rights
- To be treated with dignity and respect
- To choose schedules and activities
- To be fully informed of all personal information
- To share a complaint with anyone without any repercussions
- The right to decide who visits and who does not
- To have information regarding personal financial affairs
- The right to have private conversation with anyone you decide
Environmental Concerns
The Ombudsman helps to inform residents about environmental concerns. This allows the resident to stay aware of their surroundings and live in a clean, hazard-free environment.
Discharge and Eviction
Allows residents of long-term care facilities the right to appeal a discharge or transfer
Personal Care Concerns
An Ombudsmen helps address any personal care concerns. Assuring residents have regular and timely access to ombudsman services.
Quality of Life Issues
The Ombudsman also advises about and assists with issues such as poor health, financial strain, mental distress, etc. The Ombudsman also advocates for changes to improve residents’ quality of life and care.
The Ombudsman program does not:
- Conduct licensing and regulatory inspections or investigations (licensure is performed by the MSDH);
- Perform Adult Protective Services (APS) investigations; or
- Provide direct care for residents
| wdt_ID | Program | Ombudsman | County | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Office | Lisa M. Smith, SLTCO | State Long-Term Care Ombudsman | 601.359.4927 | lisam.smith@mdhs.ms.gov |
| 2 | Long-Term Care Ombudsman Help Line | State Wide | 1.888.844.0041 | ombudsman@mdhs.ms.gov | |
| 3 | Northeast Planning and Development District | Bessie Greer | Alcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo | 622.554.1979 | bgreer@nempdd.com |
| 4 | Three Rivers Panning and Development District | Cindy Collums | Calhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Union | 662.488.6971 | ccollums@trpdd.com |
| 5 | North Delta Planning and Development District | Elgalene Close | DeSota, Tunica, Tate, Panola, Tallahatchie, Coahoma, Quitman | 662.360.7333 | eclose@ndpdd.com |
| 6 | Central Mississippi Planning and Development District | Tia Hudson | Hinds, Madison, Simposn, Yazoo | 601.321.2154 | thudson@cmpdd.org |
| 7 | Central Mississippi Planning and Development District | Emma Powell | Copiah, Hinds, Madison, Yazoo | 601.321.2155 | epowell@cmpdd.org |
| 8 | Central Mississippi Planning and Development District | Patricia Hunt | Warren | 601. 638.7441 | padhunt1@att.net |
| 9 | Central Mississippi Planning and Development District | Makleisha Logan-Hite | Rankin | 601.321.2170 | mlogan-hite@cmpdd.org |
| 10 | Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District | Annette Wiley | Forrest, George, Greene, Pearl River, Perry, Stone | 601.596.7511 | awiley@smpdd.com |
| Program | Ombudsman | County | Phone Number |
Informational Links
Links will take you to sites outside of MDHS.ms.gov
If you would like to file a complaint regarding a long-term care facility, please visit: www.msdh.ms.gov
To locate Health and Care Facilities or find more information please visit: www.msdh.ms.gov
To find a Long-term care facility near you please visit: www.senioradvisor.com
For more information on what an ombudsman is, please visit: www.nasop.org, www.theconsumervoice.org, or www.acl.gov
Should a resident be declined for payment through Medicaid, federal law offers the right to appeal and a Fair Hearing. Please visit: www.medicaid.ms.gov
For information on Medicaid in Mississippi and how to apply, please visit: www.medicaid.ms.gov
For an extended explanation of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, please visit the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities at www.nasuad.org or call 202-898-2578 to get in touch with a representative.