MIFA Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

MIFA’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for the rights of nursing home residents in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Lauderdale Counties. MIFA’s program is led by Tennessee's Area 9 District Ombudsman, who has been with the organization since 1995.

Staff: Two full-time staff members and 47 trained Volunteer Ombudsman Representatives (VORs) comprise MIFA’s Ombudsman program. The district ombudsman investigates complaints, educates consumers about long-term care options, and recommends changes in laws and regulations as they relate to nursing home residents. VORs participate in 15 hours of extensive training before certification, after which they visit their assigned facilities regularly, charged with the task of protecting the rights and maintaining the dignity of their residents.

Clients: MIFA’s Ombudsman program represents over 7,000 beds in the area’s 135 nursing homes, care homes, and assisted living facilities.

Funding: This program is supported by the Aging Commission of the Mid-South ($101,763 in FY07), with additional funding provided by MIFA’s fundraising efforts ($18,237 in FY07).

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman Representative, contact Linda Marks, Volunteer Coordinator, at 527-0208, ext. 230 or lmarks@mifa.org. The next training session for VORs is March 25-27, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day.

For more information on caring for your elderly loved ones, visit www.medicare.gov
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