NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Ombudsman Protects and Advocates on Behalf of Elderly
As aging occurs, issues often arise that concern the elderly, those who love them and those who provide the necessary care. The NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO) works to protect the rights and preserve the health, safety, and welfare of New Jersey residents age 60 and older who live in long-term care facilities. All services are free and confidential.
The NJLTCO handles complaints concerning residents' rights and welfare as well. Anonymous complaints are accepted. The Office is empowered to conduct public and private hearings, subpoena documents or personal testimony, and has full, unrestricted access to elderly residents and long-term care facilities. Every effort is made to resolve disputes. Complaints received by the Ombudsman's Office are assigned to a field investigator who will make an unannounced visit to the facility and conduct a complete review of the facts, obtain records, and interview residents and staff.
When necessary, substantiated complaints are referred to the appropriate county prosecutor or state licensing agency.
Examples of residents concerns that the NJLTCO will respond to include:
- Violation of residents' rights or dignity
- Physical, verbal, or mental abuse, deprivation of services necessary to maintain residents' physical and mental health or unreasonable confinement
- Poor quality of care, including inadequate personal hygiene and slow response to requests for assistance
- Improper transfer or discharge
- Inappropriate use of chemical or physical restraints
- Financial exploitation
If you (or someone you know) lives in a long-term care facility and has a problem or concern, contact the NJLTCO at 877-582-6995, by email at ombudsman@ltco.nj.gov, or visit their site for an online complaint form. In the event of an emergency, NJLTCO recommends dialing 9-1-1.
What Long-Term Care Facilities are Covered?
The NJLTCO will accept complaints from or regarding residents of the following long-term care facilities:
- Adult family care homes
- Assisted living facilities, residences, and programs
- Class "C" and "D" boarding homes
- Comprehensive personal care homes
- Comprehensive rehabilitation hospitals and separately licensed comprehensive rehabilitation units within general acute care hospitals
- Developmental centers
- Intermediate care facilities
- Long-term acute care hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Residential healthcare facilities
- Social daycare centers for the elderly and adult medical daycare centers
- Special hospitals
- The independent living section of continuing care retirement communities
- Veterans' hospitals
NJLTCO Fosters Change in Eldercare System
In addition to individual resident advocacy, NJLTCO seeks opportunities to bring about systems change on local, state, and federal levels.
Volunteer Advocates Help Safeguard Seniors
The Office of the Ombudsman is assisted in its advocacy by citizen volunteers. Volunteer advocates solve problems for the long-term care residents and ensure all the residents are being treated with dignity and respect. Each volunteer is trained 32 hours and passes a certification exam to participate. These dedicated volunteers look out for people living in long-term facilities, many of whom have no one else to help them. More volunteers are needed. Learn more about this program.
Call 609-826-5053 or email volunteer@ltco.nj.gov for more information.