Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services investigate and work to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, individual residents in long-term care facilities such as:

• Nursing homes
• Residential care facilities for the elderly
• Assisted living facilities

All Ombudsman services are provided for free and all complaints are confidential. Long-Term Care Ombudsman representatives assist with issues related to day-to-day care, health, safety, and personal preferences. Problems can include, but are not limited to:

• Dietary concerns
• Improper transfer or discharge of a resident
• Inappropriate use of chemical or physical restraints
• Medicare and Medi-Cal benefit issues
• Medical care, therapy, and rehabilitation issues
• Physical, verbal, mental, or financial abuse
• Poor quality of care
• Violation of residents' rights or dignity

Contact the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

• Business hours phone - 916-376-8910
• 24/7 emergency phone - State CRISIS line - 800-231-4024

Report Abuse in a Long-Term Care Facility

1. Download and complete the Report of Suspected Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Form SOC341 at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/FMUForms/Q-T/SOC341.pdf
2. Submit it with the Local Law Enforcement SOC341 Cross Reporting Transmittal Cover at https://agencyonaging4.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/LocalLawEnforcementSOC341CrossReportingTransmittalCover.pdf

Advocacy
The Ombudsman program advocates for nursing home residents and can help resolve concerns. If you have any questions or concerns about your family member’s facility or the way they are being treated, contact the ombudsman program.

Adult Protective Services (APS)
Contact your local APS office for information or questions about Elder Abuse Prevention. To report abuse, call 833-401-0832, and when prompted enter your 5-digit zip code to be connected to APS in your county, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a direct service of the Agency on Aging \ Area 4, designated as the local entity representing the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Planning and Service Area 4 (PSA 4).

Web pages

• Long Term Care Ombudsman Services - https://www.agencyonaging4.org/long-term-care-ombudsman/
• California Adult Protective Services (APS) information - https://www.cdss.ca.gov/adult-protective-services
• Info. on LTC Ombudsman Services - California Dept. of Aging - https://aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/Long-Term_Care_Ombudsman

This resource is eligible for electronic referral.