Be A Voice for Your Loved One: The Ombudsman in Senior Care

What to Do When You're Worried About Your Parent's Care in a Senior Living Facility | Ep. 19 When something feels off with your parent's care in an assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing facility — and you don't know who to call — there's a free resource you may not know exists: an ombudsman. In this episode, Tracy Sherman, a volunteer ombudsman with 10 years of experience in San Diego County, explains what ombudsmen do, how they advocate for residents' rights, and when families should reach out. We cover the most common complaints in senior living, how to research facilities before moving in, how ombudsmen mediate family conflicts, real stories of residents she's helped, and why this program desperately needs more volunteers. If your parent is in a licensed senior living community — or soon will be — this episode will help you understand your rights, the facility's obligations, and the advocate who's already on your side. In this episode: What an ombudsman is and how the program started The training and commitment required to become one How ombudsmen handle complaints — from minor to serious What to look for when researching and visiting facilities Why you should know your ombudsman before you need them A real story of fighting to get a resident back home How to volunteer and give back Connect With Aging Parent Network Not sure who you need to call or where to begin? Aging Parent Network can help connect you with the right professional for your family's circumstances. 📞 858-727-9333 📧 info@agingparentnetwork.com If you have aging parents or are a caregiver, this episode gives you the tools to have an important conversation before a scam happens — not after. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on navigating aging, caregiving, and family decisions. 0:00 — When You're Worried About Your Parent's Care 1:48 — What Is an Ombudsman? 2:43 — History & Structure of the Program 3:30 — Training & Becoming an Ombudsman 7:07 — The Role: Advocacy, Problem-Solving & Connecting 8:13 — Building Trust with Facility Staff 11:31 — Filing a Complaint & Unannounced Visits 13:03 — When the Resident Is the Problem 17:15 — Most Common Complaints in Senior Living 18:06 — Serious Issues: Unsafe Discharge & Abuse 21:33 — Free Discovery Call for Families 22:25 — How to Research Facilities Before Moving In 24:54 — Know Your Ombudsman Before You Need Them 25:56 — Navigating Family Conflict Over a Parent's Care 30:15 — Real Story: Getting a Resident Back Home 34:28 — Volunteering: How to Give Back as an Ombudsman 37:52 — Closing & Key Takeaways for Families