Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Free counseling, advocacy, legal help, and trusted local referrals.
A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.
UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.
What to know
- Why it may fit
- You can contact this service for free guidance or advocacy.
- What to do next
- In Santa Clara County, Catholic Charities runs the ombudsman program. An ombudsman is a trained advocate for people in nursing homes and other care homes. The help is free and private. They follow the resident's wishes.
- Who runs it
- Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program)
What the program may consider
- Your concern involves a nursing home, residential-care, or assisted-living setting
- Rights, quality, discharge, abuse, or care concern
How to get it
In Santa Clara County, Catholic Charities runs the ombudsman program. An ombudsman is a trained advocate for people in nursing homes and other care homes. The help is free and private. They follow the resident's wishes.
How to apply
- PhoneLong-Term Care Ombudsman crisis line: 1-800-231-4024Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free and private.
- PhoneLong-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Catholic Charities): (408) 944-0567
- FaxLong-Term Care Ombudsman Program fax: (408) 944-0776
- MailLong-Term Care Ombudsman Program office: John XXIII Multi-Services Center, 195 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95112
Getting help
Someone can refer you, with your permission
Anyone can call about a resident, including family, friends or staff. The ombudsman then talks with the resident. The resident decides what happens next. If the resident cannot decide, their representative decides. The ombudsman checks the representative's legal papers, like a power of attorney or court order.
What happens after you apply
The resident, family, a friend or anyone else calls the ombudsman about a problem. The call is free and private.
The program or provider
An ombudsman calls or visits the resident and offers to talk in private.
The program or providerOnly you can do this
The resident decides if the ombudsman may look into the problem and share their name. Saying yes out loud is enough. If the resident cannot decide, their representative decides.
YouA helper can help with this
The ombudsman looks into the problem and works to fix it. If the resident wants, they can bring in licensing staff, adult protective services or police.
The program or providerOnly you can do this
The ombudsman checks with the resident that the problem is solved in a way they accept.
The program or providerOnly you can do this
What only you can do
- The resident talks with the ombudsman and says yes or no to looking into the problem.
- How long it takes
- There is no set time. For an urgent problem, call the 24-hour crisis line.
- You are enrolled when
- There is nothing to enroll in. Your complaint is open once an ombudsman has talked with the resident.
- To keep it
- Nothing to renew. Call again any time. The ombudsman shares what happened only if the resident agrees.