§ 143B-181.16.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Long-term care facility. - A skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or adult care home as defined in G.S. 131D-20.

(2) Programmatic supervision. - The monitoring of the performance of the duties of the Regional Ombudsman and ensuring that the Area Agency on Aging has personnel policies and procedures consistent with the laws and policies governing the Ombudsman Program as performed by the State Ombudsman.

(3) Regional Ombudsman. - A person employed by an Area Agency on Aging who is certified and designated by the State Ombudsman to carry out the functions of the Regional Ombudsman Office established by this Article, the Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. § 3001, et seq., and the regulations promulgated under that act.

(4) Resident. - A person who is receiving treatment or care in a long-term care facility.

(5) State Ombudsman. - The State Ombudsman, as defined by the Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. § 3001, et seq., and the regulations promulgated under it, who carries out the duties and functions established by those laws and this Article.

(6) Willful or unnecessary obstruction. - Actions or inactions taken by an individual in an attempt to intentionally prevent, interfere with, or attempt to impede the State Ombudsman or Regional Ombudsman from performing any of the functions, responsibilities, or duties set forth in the Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. § 3001, et seq., and the regulations promulgated under it.  (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1995, c. 254, s. 2; c. 535, s. 35; 2015-220, s. 2; 2025-25, s. 38(b).)