| About OSSMC |
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About OSSMC |
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Mission/Vision/Value |
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History |
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Services We Provide |
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FAQs |
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Languages Spoken |
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Our Mission is to actively promote standards of excellence in advocacy and enhancement of the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities in the county.
Our Vision: The long-term care facilities in our county are the best in the country and reflect the high standards of resident-centered care
Our three key Values are to cherish our Ombudsmen, to fully and faithfully empower our clients, and to positively work with all community stakeholders |
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Tippy Irwin
Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc
711 Nevada Street
Redwood City, CA 94061
Phone: (650) 780 5707
Fax: (650) 364 5399
ossmc@sbcglobal.net |
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| About OSSMC - History |
Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County (OSSMC) – Our History
In 1965, the advent of Medicare and Medicaid provided public money that provided incentives for the development of private businesses to build facilities to provide for the long-term care of our elder population. This government action was a positive step toward care for our aging population, but with the growth of new facilities we also saw growing abuse of the very people the government intended to help.
Abuses, neglect, and substandard care in nursing homes were well documented in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Congressional committees convened to hear testimony, compile data and propose reforms for the Nursing Home Industry.
In 1970 Ralph Nader published a report entitled “Old Age: The Last Segregation”. This report became a catalyst for action. Soon after its publication, the United States Senate heard testimony about the mistreatment and deaths of elder citizens, in many cases ranging from preventable fires, food poisoning, and horrible inhumane cases of neglect. Among the worst of these findings was the total lack of concern of some business owners entrusted with the care of our most vulnerable citizens. How could this happen in America?
In 1971 Dr. Arthur Flemming, Counselor on Aging to President Richard Nixon, wrote nursing home oversight guidelines intended to provide a more open view of what was happening inside our nursing homes, setting the stage for the birth of the Ombudsman Program. The guidelines established provided our frail and vulnerable citizens who are living in nursing homes with a way to have their grievances heard and mediated. The mandates for the new program were incorporated into the Federal Older Americans Act and became law in the mid 70's. Under the new laws, each state was mandated to establish an ombudsman program.
In August 1978 San Mateo County's first ombudsman program was formed and began serving the frail elders in the county's nursing homes. Ombudsman services have been provided in the county on an ongoing basis since that time.
In 1981 the Older Americans Act was amended and the Ombudsman Program was expanded to include residential care facilities for the elderly (assisted living). Our Services Today
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