Business Details
45 Years
experience
Advocating for Kentuckians in Long-Term Care
Founded in 1981, our agency has dedicated over four decades to advocating for the rights and well-being of long-term care residents across Kentucky. As a federally recognized Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, we operate with a dual mission: to empower residents through education and advocacy while ensuring facilities uphold the highest standards of care. Our team of 30 certified ombudsmen conducts regular facility visits, investigates complaints, and works collaboratively with staff and families to resolve concerns. We maintain a strong focus on legislative advocacy to strengthen protections for older adults and individuals with disabilities. With a statewide presence covering 17 central Kentucky counties, our organization combines grassroots community engagement with professional expertise to improve quality of life for vulnerable populations.Our volunteer-driven model, supported by state and federal funding, ensures impartial representation for residents in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and family care homes. Through comprehensive outreach programs and certified volunteer training, we build sustainable networks of support that amplify residents' voices. Our leadership in Kentucky's long-term care advocacy landscape is evidenced by our nationally recognized service model and consistent policy influence. We maintain transparent operations through annual reporting and public accountability measures. Our commitment to ethical standards and resident-centered care has established us as a trusted authority in long-term care advocacy across the Commonwealth.
Services
Resident Advocacy
Complaint Investigation
Facility Monitoring
Policy Advocacy
Volunteer Training
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We protect the rights of long-term care residents through empowerment and advocacy
- Our team of 30 certified ombudsmen provides statewide coverage in Kentucky
- We investigate complaints and resolve issues in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
- We offer free advocacy services funded by state and federal programs
- Our volunteer ombudsmen complete 36 hours of specialized training
What people say
Dedicated advocates
Effective resolutions
Responsive support
Confidential process
Knowledgeable staff
Services
Resident Advocacy
Our certified ombudsmen provide direct advocacy for long-term care residents, ensuring their rights are protected and concerns addressed. We work with residents, families, and facility staff to resolve issues related to care quality, living conditions, and personal rights. Our advocates maintain strict confidentiality while facilitating communication between all parties to achieve satisfactory resolutions.
Complaint Investigation
We conduct thorough investigations of resident complaints regarding care quality, safety violations, or rights infringements. Our process includes on-site visits, interviews with residents and staff, and documentation review to verify concerns. We work collaboratively with facilities to implement corrective actions while maintaining resident confidentiality throughout the process.
Facility Monitoring
Our team performs regular, unannounced visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to assess care standards and regulatory compliance. We monitor conditions affecting resident well-being, identify systemic issues, and recommend improvements to facility management. This proactive approach helps prevent problems before they impact residents.
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for stronger protections and improved standards in long-term care legislation at both state and federal levels. Our efforts focus on enhancing resident rights, increasing facility accountability, and improving care quality through regulatory reforms. We collaborate with policymakers to shape legislation that addresses emerging challenges in elder care.
Volunteer Training
Our comprehensive 36-hour training program certifies volunteers to become effective long-term care advocates. The curriculum covers resident rights, investigation procedures, communication techniques, and care standards. Certified volunteers complete annual continuing education to maintain their expertise and stay current with regulatory changes.
People
Denise Wells
Executive Director
Denise Wells leads our agency with over 25 years of experience in elder care advocacy and nonprofit management. She oversees statewide operations and strategic initiatives while maintaining active engagement with resident communities.
Sherry Culp
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Sherry Culp directs Kentucky's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program with 18 years of advocacy experience. She coordinates district ombudsmen efforts and provides technical expertise to improve care standards across the Commonwealth.
Alice Rearick
Bluegrass District Ombudsman
Alice Rearick serves as Bluegrass District Ombudsman with a decade of experience in resident advocacy. She specializes in facility inspections and complaint resolution, maintaining regular contact with residents across central Kentucky.
Jodi Holsclaw
Assistant State Ombudsman
Jodi Holsclaw supports statewide operations with expertise in policy development and volunteer coordination. She manages training programs and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations governing long-term care advocacy.
Mark Burress
Resident Advocacy Manager
Mark Burress leads our resident advocacy team with 15 years of experience in care facility oversight. He specializes in complex case resolution and works directly with families to address care quality concerns.
Questions
What does a nursing home ombudsman do?
Ombudsmen advocate for residents' rights, investigate complaints, and work with facilities to improve care quality through regular facility visits and resident engagement.
How do I file a complaint about a nursing home?
Contact our office directly via phone or online form to report concerns. We'll assign an ombudsman to investigate and work toward resolution while maintaining your confidentiality.
Are your services free to use?
Yes, all our advocacy services are provided at no cost to residents or families through state and federal funding programs.
How can I become a volunteer ombudsman?
Complete our 36-hour training program covering resident rights, investigation procedures, and care standards. No prior experience is required.
Which facilities do you cover?
We serve all nursing homes, assisted living communities, personal care homes, and family care homes across 17 central Kentucky counties.
What happens after filing a complaint?
An assigned ombudsman will contact you within 24-48 hours, conduct an investigation, and work collaboratively with facility staff to resolve issues while keeping you informed throughout the process.
Videos
