Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

10/23/2026

At Our Next Meeting, Tuesday, October 27, 2026 - Topic: Let’s talk Open Enrollment for Medicare and How SHIP can help you.

Description: Medicare Open Enrollment runs every Oct. 15, 2026, through Dec. 7, 2026 — and it’s your annual opportunity to change your health care coverage for the coming year. During this period, you can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D drug plans and switch between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Any changes you make typically take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Click here on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg See less

Email from Illinois Department on Aging Resident and Family Support Council meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month!   The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program would like to invite you to attend o

10/13/2026

At Today's Meeting, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Topic: Navigating Elections - Medicare Guidelines and Resident Rights

Description: This presentation given by Laura Williams, provides families and staff with the tools necessary to eliminate barriers to voting and promote autonomy for residents who wish to vote. The session will include a review of the recent Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services memo - Protecting the Voting Rights and Autonomy of Vulnerable Residents in Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities, and what it means for Illinois residents, families and communities. The discussion will outline best practices and safeguards that families and staff can implement to support residents.
Bio: Laura Williams is retired as an Occupational Therapist after a 30-year career dedicated to improving the independence and quality of life for older adults in various geriatric settings.
In 2023, while helping a long-term care facility director navigate the voting process, Laura witnessed firsthand the barriers older voters face—confusing forms, varying state policies, and inconsistent staff knowledge. Driven to close those gaps, she joined the Center for Vulnerable Voters as National Training Coordinator, using her clinical background to help communities identify and implement best practices and safeguards for residential voting.
Click here on Today at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg

10/09/2026

At Our Next Meeting, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 -Topic: Navigating Elections - Medicare Guidelines and Resident Rights

Description: This presentation given by Laura Williams, provides families and staff with the tools necessary to eliminate barriers to voting and promote autonomy for residents who wish to vote. The session will include a review of the recent Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services memo - Protecting the Voting Rights and Autonomy of Vulnerable Residents in Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities, and what it means for Illinois residents, families and communities. The discussion will outline best practices and safeguards that families and staff can implement to support residents.
Bio: Laura Williams is retired as an Occupational Therapist after a 30-year career dedicated to improving the independence and quality of life for older adults in various geriatric settings.
In 2023, while helping a long-term care facility director navigate the voting process, Laura witnessed firsthand the barriers older voters face—confusing forms, varying state policies, and inconsistent staff knowledge. Driven to close those gaps, she joined the Center for Vulnerable Voters as National Training Coordinator, using her clinical background to help communities identify and implement best practices and safeguards for residential voting. Click here on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg

Email from Illinois Department on Aging Resident and Family Support Council meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month!   The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program would like to invite you to attend o

10/09/2026

September 28 - October 1, 2026, was Consumer Voice Conference 2026 in St. Louis, MO. Pictured below is our Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsmen, who attended the conference.

10/01/2026

October is Residents’ Rights Month!

09/22/2026

At Today's Meeting, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Topic: A Family's Perspective on this Long-Term Care Journey – What has the experience been like for them?

Description: During this meeting, we will speak with a family whose loved one resides in long-term care, exploring their journey and the feelings that come with it, especially from a mother's point of view. Please feel free to share your own experiences as we engage in this conversation! Click here on Today at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg See less

Email from Illinois Department on Aging The meeting is TODAY @ 3:00pm!   Resident and Family Support Council Meeting today. Just click on the link below to join the meeting at 3:00pm!  Meeting Today

09/18/2026

At Our Next Meeting, Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - Topic: A Family's Perspective on this Long-Term Care Journey – What has the experience been like for them?

Description: During this meeting, we will speak with a family whose loved one resides in long-term care, exploring their journey and the feelings that come with it, especially from a mother's point of view. Please feel free to share your own experiences as we engage in this conversation! Click here on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg

Email from Illinois Department on Aging Resident and Family Support Council meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month!   The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program would like to invite you to attend o

09/08/2026

At Today's Meeting, Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - Topic: Understanding the Different Types of Long-Term Care Facilities within the State of Illinois.

Description: There are several types of different care facilities in Illinois that care for specific populations and have different regulations that these homes need to abide by. During this meeting, we will go into details so you can better understand your care options.
Click here on Today at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg

08/25/2026

At Today's Meeting, Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Topic: Understanding the IL Ombudsman Programs for people living in long-term care or receiving community-based services through the State of Illinois.

Description: The Illinois Ombudsman Program provides free, confidential advocacy, and support for residents in long-term care facilities and people receiving community-based services. This state-sponsored program will be fully explained, so you can get the assistance you need, want, and deserve.
Click here on Today at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg

Email from Illinois Department on Aging The meeting is TODAY @ 3:00pm!   Resident and Family Support Council Meeting today. Just click on the link below to join the meeting at 3:00pm! Meeting Today,

08/21/2026

At Our Next Meeting, Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Topic: Understanding the IL Ombudsman Programs for people living in long-term care or receiving community-based services through the State of Illinois.
Description: The Illinois Ombudsman Program provides free, confidential advocacy, and support for residents in long-term care facilities and people receiving community-based services. This state-sponsored program will be fully explained, so you can get the assistance you need, want, and deserve. Click here on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 3pm - https://conta.cc/3KuL9cg

Email from Illinois Department on Aging Resident and Family Support Council meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month!   The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program would like to invite you to attend o