Introduction - What Is LTCOP
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (or LTCOP) is a federal advocacy program dedicated to protecting people living in long term care facilities. In New York State, the Office for the Aging operates LTCOP through its Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.
The State Ombudsman supervises Substate Ombudsman Coordinators who serve all communities throughout the state. Substate Ombudsman programs are sponsored either by area agencies on aging or other qualified organizations.
The heart of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is its corps of specially trained and certified citizen-volunteer ombudsmen. Many volunteers are retired professionals from various fields. These dedicated Ombudsmen spend an average of four to six hours a week in each of their assigned facilities, advocating for the residents.
