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Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocatesCOVID-19
Menu
Shop
Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocatesCOVID-19
This page contains resources and information to help you get help and advocate for quality long-term care. Click on the topic areas below to find more information.
Long-term care ombudsmen advocate for individuals living in assisted living facilities. They provide information about rights and work to resolve complaints. Find contact information for the long-term care ombudsman program in your state. In addition to acting as an advocate for residents, ombudsmen can educate residents, families and friends about resident rights, state surveys, and federal and state laws that are applicable to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Citizen advocacy groups (CAGs) are groups of concerned citizens who work to improve the quality of care for nursing home residents in their locality, state, or region. Members of these groups are often people who have had loved ones in nursing homes and are concerned about nursing home residents. The groups share a commitment to improving the quality of care and life for residents who are in need of long-term care. They may be able to inform you about resources in your state, the quality of care in particular facilities, and the current status of nursing home reform in your state. Visit the Citizen Advocacy Group Center to learn more about CAGs, and to find a CAG in your state so that you can connect with others who are interested long-term care reform.
The long-term care system is complex and difficult to understand. In addition to ombudsmen, there are many different agencies in your state that may be responsible for helping to ensure good care for home and community-based care residents.
Visit adrc-tae.org or call 1(800) 677-1116 to locate the closest Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC). ADRCs provide easy access to free information about the full range of long-term service and support options in a state or area to consumers and their families. Not all states have ADRCs statewide, and some states may only have them in a few areas.
Visit aoa.gov to locate the closest Area Agency on Aging (AAA). AAA is a non-profit organization that coordinates and provides a range of services to assist older adults in a particular community or region. Many AAAs also serve younger persons with disabilities and may have some programs that are available to anyone age 18 or older. They can connect you with the right information and available services for your particular situation.
Visit BenefitsCheckUp.org to find available federal, state and private benefits programs in your area. These programs can help pay for prescriptions, health care, food, utilities and more.
Visit eldercare.acl.gov or call 1(800)677-1116 for long-term support options and resources in your community. Eldercare is a free national service provided by the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that helps older adults and their caregivers connect with information about senior services
Visit https://ncea.acl.gov for the contact information regarding state specific helplines, hotlines, and elder abuse prevent resources. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a national resource center with the mission to prevent elder mistreatment.
Visit va.gov (Click on "Veteran Services") or call 1(877) 222-8387 to locate the closest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA offers a range of services to veterans who need long-term care.
Visit virtualcil.net or call 1(877) 525-3400 to locate the closest Centers for Independent Living (CIL). CIL are grassroots, advocacy-driven organizations run by and for people with disabilities. CILs help promote the independence and productivity of persons with disabilities, and they often have expertise in assisting people with disabilities arrange for housing and supports in the community. One of the CIL's core services is to provide disability-specific information and referral services.
Connect with family and friends. The people you know may be able to tell you how to find information and resources about long-term care, services and supports.