Advocacy - Advocating for Solutions on Behalf of Another

Nursing Home Ombudsman
(Complaint Resolution)

-Alternatives' Ombudsman program is designed to improve the quality of life for all residents in licensed nursing facilities.

-Staff and volunteers provide:

• Residents' rights information
• Complaint investigation and resolution
• Visits to residents
• In-service to facilities' staff and resident or family council

Elder Abuse Intervention

-Alternatives Protective Service Specialists investigate reports of abuse and work with older adult and family to remedy situations of:

• Financial exploitation
• Family stress
• Physical abuse
• Neglect

-Alternatives can provide older adults with options and linkages to services, assistance with legal remedies, counseling and community education.

-Confidentiality: The state of Illinois provides that any person, institution or agency making a report or assessment of alleged or suspected elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability on account of such actions, when the report, assessment is done in good faith.