Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Pierce County Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman program advocates for residents of skilled nursing facilities, adult family homes and assisted living facilities. Our team consists of program staff and volunteers from the community. We serve residents through complaint investigation, resolution, and advocacy. Ombudsmen educate residents, staff, families and the community about long-term care issues, resources, resident rights and advocate for quality of life in long-term care settings.

A group of adults standing together, smiling, posing for a group photo, outside a building

  1. What is an Ombudsman?
  2. What does an Ombudsman do?

Ombudsman serve all residents, regardless of age, living in long term care facilities. In Pierce County there are at least 32 nursing homes, 69 assisted living facilities, and 540 adult family homes totally over 9000 beds. One program director, 3 part-time staff, and 14 volunteers (and counting), all certified ombudsman, serve those who call Pierce County’s long term care facilities home.


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File a Complaint


If you or someone you know resides in a licensed long-term care facility and have a complaint or need advocacy, please click here to learn about filing a complaint.

Phone: 253-798-3789 or 1-800-642-5769
Email: [email protected] 

Get Involved


Become a Volunteer
To become a certified LTC Ombudsman, volunteers receive extensive training, education, and guidance.  A commitment of at least 4 hours per week of volunteer ombuds service per year is expected to maintain certification. Learn more.

Join the Advisory Council
The Pierce County Long-Term Care Ombudsman program works in conjunction with the Advisory Council to improve operations, discuss long-term care issues, and network to resolve identified problems. The Council assists by reviewing program issues and making recommendations on how the program staff and volunteers should proceed. The council is comprised of members from various service agencies, long-term care providers, community members and a liaison from the Pierce County Aging and Disability Advisory Board. Email [email protected] directly if you're interested in serving in this unique advisory capacity.