The Office has jurisdiction to accept, identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, persons aged sixty (60) or older, living in the community or in long-term care facilities. The Office and the local ombudsmen shall ensure that persons aged sixty (60) or older have regular and timely access to services provided through the Office. The Office shall represent the interests of older persons before governmental agencies and seek to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of older persons. (3-31-22)
01.Non-Jurisdictional Complaints. Local ombudsmen may respond to complaints made by or on behalf of under age sixty (60) long-term care residents where such action will: (3-31-22)a. Benefit other residents; or (3-31-22)b. Provide the only viable avenue of assistance available to the complainant. (3-31-22)02.Conflict of Interest. Local ombudsmen shall refer to the Office any complaint involving AAA staff or contractors. (3-31-22)03.Complaints. Complaints concerning local ombudsmen, or relative to a local ombudsman's official duties, shall be directly referred to the Office. The Office, upon completing an investigation of such complaint, shall provide findings and recommendations to the AAA. (3-31-22)04.Guardianship. The local ombudsmen shall not serve as an ex-officio or appointed member of any Board of Community Guardian, nor file an affidavit to the court for guardianship. (3-31-22)05.Court Visitor. The local ombudsmen shall not act as court visitor in any guardianship/conservatorship proceeding concerning a past or current client. (3-31-22)06.Legal Documents. Local ombudsmen shall not, in their capacity as ombudsmen, act as a notary or a witness of signatures for legal documents. (3-31-22)Idaho Admin. Code r. 15.01.03.032