Forty five percent of adults will spend some time in a nursing home or personal care home during their lifetimes.  When residents enter a facility, they leave behind their former way of life.  In this strange environment, they find new faces and new rules - at a time when they may have reduced understanding due to physical, emotional or mental changes.

We believe residents should enjoy the same rights in their new facility as they did in their home.  However, they may be afraid or unable to express their needs.  This is where the ombudsman comes in.  Ombudsmen are specially trained to represent residents, investigate complaints, and provide information on resident rights. 

If you are interested in providing this kind of support to older adults or if you or a loved one needs help in adjusting to a long term care facility, please contact the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc., 765-2696 or 1-800-225-8571.

"Making a Difference
One Resident at
 a Time!"

For the complete version of
The Starfish Story, go to:
www.noogenesis.com/
pineapple/starfish.html