Ombudsman: a Swedish word meaning someone who speaks on behalf of another; someone responsible for investigating and resolving complaints from consumers or other members of the public.
North Dakota's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program speaks on behalf of people living in assisted living homes, basic care homes, hospital swing beds, transitional cal units or nursing homes. The ombudsmen work to resolve complaints to the resident's satisfaction and offer information and resources on long-term care homes.
Residents of long-term care homes may have concerns about the quality of their care or that their rights as a resident are not being honored.
Become a Volunteer Ombudsman:
We are seeking dedicated individuals to advocate for North Dakota's long-term care residents. Through flexible, weekly visits, Ombudsman volunteers develop relationships and trust with residents of long-term care homes and their families. They address concerns impacting residents' health, welfare, safety and rights. Learn more and get started today!
Ready to improve the quality of life for residents at your local nursing home? Call (701) 328-4617, or toll-free (855) 462-5465. Choose option 3.
The Program Serves:
- Residents of long-term care facilities
- Families and friends of residents
- Community members
- Employees and administrators of long-term care facilities
- Various regulatory, certification, and other agencies and providers
Services are provided by long-term care ombudsmen based across the state and by volunteer ombudsmen.
- Brochure: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (December 2023)
- Poster: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (June 2021)
- Report: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Annual Report (Federal Fiscal Year 2022)
To Report a Concern or Get Information:
- Report a concern online by completing and submitting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Complaint Form (SFN 1829), or
- Sending an encrypted email to dhsagingombud@nd.gov, or
- Calling toll-free (855) 462-5465, select option 3, or (701) 328-4617.
Essential Caregiver
Basic protocols for essential caregiver access to long-term care facilities were developed by the Essential Caregiver Workgroup in response to the passage of Senate Bill 2145 during the 2021 North Dakota legislative session.
- North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 50-10.3
- Essential Caregiver Protocols (August 2021)
- Essential Caregiver Workgroup Members
Volunteer Ombudsmen
- Are assigned to serve at long-term care facilities in their local communities
- Listen to residents' concerns, educate about resident rights and advocate for residents
- Brochure: Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsmen (August 2019) - Information about volunteering and responsibilities
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer ombudsman, please contact the number above and ask for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Electronic Monitoring for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
- Roommate Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information Template - Effective Aug. 1, 2019 (64kb pdf)
- Documentation for Authorized Electronic Monitoring Template - Effective Aug. 1, 2019 (135kb pdf)
- Rights Information on Electronic Monitoring - Effective Aug. 1, 2019 (107kb pdf)
- ND Century Code Chapter 50-10.2 Rights of Health Care Facility Residents
- Administrative Rule - Chapter 75-03-42 Authorized Electronic Monitoring
Residents' Rights Information
- Poster: Residents' Rights - For Assisted Living and Basic Care Facility Residents (August 2019)
- Brochure: Residents Councils in Long-Term Care Facilities (August 2019)
- Brochure: Family Councils in Long-Term Care Facilities (August 2019)
- Nursing Home Resident Rights (Updated March 2023)
- Basic Care Resident Rights (Updated March 2023)
- Assisted Living Resident/Tenant Rights (Updated March 2024)
Additional Resources
- North Dakota Supreme Court Legal Self Help Center (Has current information on guardianship)
- Legal Services of North Dakota Brochure: What Is a Health Care Directive?
- Legal Services of North Dakota Brochure: Questions and Answers on Health Care Directives under North Dakota Law
- North Dakota Regulation and Licensure Information
- North Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Information
- Handout: Long-Term Care Level of Care Descriptions