AARP, Updated April 15, 2022
En español | With more than 200,000 coronavirus deaths in U.S. long-term care facilities and hundreds of thousands more confirmed cases, many families are worried about loved ones in the nursing homes, assisted living communities and other long-term care settings. If you have a concern or complaint about a facility, your state or local long-term care ombudsman may be able to help.
Ombudsman offices advocate for residents of long-term care facilities, and they investigate and work to resolve complaints. They address problems related to residents’ health, safety, welfare and rights. The offices were established by the federal Older Americans Act in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Before contacting a long-term care ombudsman, try talking to the nursing home. Learn as much as you can about the situation you want to address and have specific questions ready. If the facility is not responsive, reach out to the ombudsman.
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