Office of the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care

The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC), a program of the Board on Aging, advocates for adults receiving long-term care. The office promotes person-directed living that respects people’s values and preferences, and works to preserve individual rights.

Julia Lerner, MSW, LGSW, is a Regional Ombudsman with OOLTC. She will provide a brief overview of the work they do and the services that OOLTC provides.

Julia earned her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of St. Thomas and her MSW from Augsburg University in 2019. Her career has included a variety of long-term care settings, from large nonprofit organizations to smaller for-profit communities, as well as roles in transitional care/post-acute care (TCU), long-term care (nursing home), and secure memory care. She has also worked as a hospital social worker and served as a Director of Social Services for one of Minnesota’s largest nursing homes, giving her an insider’s perspective on the challenges and rewards of long-term care.

Julia advocates alongside residents, and partners with families and care providers. She brings brightness, humor, and hope to the residents, families, and staff she serves.