Who must post the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Poster?
- All licensed long-term care facilities in California are required to prominently post the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Poster in one or more publicly accessible locations in the facility. (Cal. H&S Code § 9718; 22 CCR § 8010).
- The notice must be posted in plain view and easily readable by patients and residents, and visitors to the facility. This includes individuals who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
- The posting requirement applies to any “long-term care facility” that is licensed under state law as providing long-term care. This includes:
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
- Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs)
- Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs/Assisted Living Facilities)
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
- A health facility or a distinct part of a hospital or skilled nursing facility that provides long-term care to patients
What information must the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Poster include?
The notice must be in the form approved by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The poster provides information about Ombudsman services and how to contact them. The poster includes:
- A space for the long-term care facility to fill in the name, address, and telephone number of the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
- The statewide Ombudsman toll-free CRISISline number: 1-800-231-4024 and availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Information about Ombudsman services and how to contact them.
- How to contact emergency services.
Why is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman information important?
Posting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Poster ensures that residents and their families are informed of their rights to contact an independent advocate regarding concerns about their care. The posting requirement promotes transparency and accountability within long-term care facilities.
