08/22/2026
Session 8: Resident Rights for Intimacy & Relationships
Program Description: Residents in long-term care settings retain the same rights to relationships, intimacy, and personal choice as anyone else. However, these situations can present complex questions related to consent, capacity, and staff responsibilities. This session provides a rights-based framework for supporting resident relationships. Participants will explore relevant rights, person-centered care, assessment of consent, and care planning considerations. Presenters will offer guidance for navigating real-world scenarios.
Objectives:
1. Describe resident rights related to relationships, intimacy, and privacy
2. Demystify sexuality and intimate relationships in older adults
3. Identify elements of consent and assessing ability to consent
4. Recognize staff roles and responsibilities
Bio:
Becky Mulhern is the Ombudsman Services Supervisor for the Wisconsin Long Term Care Ombudsman Program within the Board on Aging and Long Term Care (BOALTC), where she supports advocacy for adults age 60 and older. BOALTC provides advocacy for individuals aged 60+ years. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Becky brings over 28 years of dedicated experience working in the field of long term care. She received her degree from UW-Milwaukee and has held a variety of leadership roles. Her experience includes St. Coletta as the Therapeutic Recreation Director, the City of Minneapolis as an Adaption and Inclusion Coordinator, various county positions including as an ADRC Director overseeing Adult Protective Services, transportation, aging, nutrition and caregiving programs. She has also worked as a Program Manager for a Managed Care Organization, and a Communication & Development Specialist at the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. Throughout her career, Becky has been a strong advocate for changing the culture of aging and empowering older adults to advocate for themselves.
Linda Dobbratz has served as a Regional Ombudsman with the State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care for the past six years, representing the northeast region of the state. In this role, she is responsible for advocating on behalf of residents across seven counties, including Brown, Florence, Forest, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto and Shawano. Linda works closely with residents, their families, and long term care providers to address concerns, protect resident rights, and promote quality of care. Shehas experience navigating the complex and sensitive issues related to resident relationships and intimacy, providing education and guidance to ensure dignity, respect and person centered care are upheld. Prior to her work as an Ombudsman, Linda dedicated more than 19 years to serving residents in a skilled nursing facility. She held the dual role of Activity Director and Social Services Director, where she worked to enhance residents’ quality of life through meaningful programming and individualized support. In addition to these responsibilities, she maintained certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant, allowing her to provide hands on care and support to residents as needed. Linda has also been an active member of WRAP. She takes particular pride in having her facility’s Administrator named WRAPS’s Administrator of the Year after submitting her letter of recommendation. Linda’s career reflects a deep dedication to advocacy and compassion in serving individuals in long term care.
