Ombudsman and Elder Abuse Information
Ombudsman Program
The Ombudsman at MAC Inc. serves as an advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities on the Lower Shore, working to ensure that these residents have quality of care and quality of life.
MAC’s Ombudsman monitors the conditions of all long-term care facilities, visits residents, investigates complaints (within 24 hours), provides information on regulations and makes referrals as needed to other agencies and programs.
Anyone can contact the Ombudsman Program to voice a complaint or concern, and callers can remain anonymous. The program is not a 24-hour emergency response service.
Elder Abuse Information
Elder abuse:
- Can occur anywhere: in the home, nursing home or other institution
- Knows no socio-economic, racial or cultural boundaries
- More often happens to women
- Is not always reported to authorities: The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates as few as one in five cases are reported
Kinds of elder abuse include:
- Physical
- Emotional/psychological
- Financial exploitation
- Sexual
- Neglect
- Self-neglect
In the case of suspected elder abuse, and if the senior is living in the community or an assisted living facility, contact your local law enforcement agency and Adult Protective Services in the senior’s county of residence for help.
In the case of suspected abuse in a nursing home, call the Ombudsman Program at MAC Inc., at 410-742-0505, ext. 104.
Anyone can report suspected abuse and callers may remain anonymous.
