Dear Betty,

My dad had a stroke in May and is recuperating at a nearby nursing home. We’re happy with the care dad’s getting, especially the rehabilitative therapy. There’s just one problem, and it’s driving us (and probably dad) crazy. His roommate plays his radio full blast and is endlessly chattering.

Betty, my dad always loved his “peace and quiet,” so he can’t be liking this. Speech is difficult for dad now, so I approached the roommate myself. But he says he can’t hear at a lower volume, and music is the only pleasure he has left. The administrator says no other rooms are available. Is there anything else I can do? Distressed Daughter

Dear Distressed,

There is another avenue open to you: your local long-term care ombudsman. All states have ombudsman programs, which were authorized under the Older Americans Act and are implemented by the Administration on Aging. Like most states, Montana’s program is housed within our state government’s Unit on Aging. You can call either 444-7785 or 800-551-3191 to be put in touch with a local contact.

Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. A big part of their job is helping resolve problems or complaints and working for changes that improve residents’ quality of life and care.

Ombudsmen address issues that may be grave, such as neglect, insufficient medical or nursing care, or physical, verbal or financial abuse. They are also often asked to help with other issues such as poor food service, unnecessary use of physical or chemical restraints, high charges for “extra” services that seem basic, government action (or inaction) that adversely affects residents, and, yes, problems with roommates.

Another function they fulfill is promoting establishment of or supporting family or resident councils, which might be another resource for addressing the noise problem, providing your dad’s nursing home has one. Call your facility to inquire, or visit www.medicare.gov (Click “Nursing Homes” under the Resource Locator tab and follow the instructions for searches. There’s an option to look for facilities with family or resident councils.)

While ombudsmen spend much of their time visiting facilities and communicating with residents and families, they also are available to anyone with concerns about a nursing home or assisted living facility, including a loved one’s care (requests for anonymity are honored). Ombudsmen also can serve as an information resource for people with questions about selecting and paying for long-term care.

Many complaints similar to your own have been happily resolved. Sometimes it’s just a matter of directing residents or their families to the right venue for airing the complaint. Sometimes it’s assisting all parties in working through differences. Let me know how this works out for you.

In the meantime, two resources might be useful: The first is the website of the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, www.ltcombudsman.org. Among its many services the center promotes awareness of the role of ombudsmen , and its site gives a good description of what ombudsmen do. Also see our state’s ombudsman program pages at www.mt.gov (type “ltc ombudsman” in the search box). Both sites include a list of residents’ rights. Good luck!

Dear Betty is a monthly question-and-answer column sponsored by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Montana. Please mail your questions on senior issues to Betty at Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, 3404 Cooney Drive, Helena, MT 59602 or e-mail them to dearbetty@mpqhf.org.