We are unable to respond to individual questions about your specific situation. Below are a number of support services you can contact for help.
Area Agency on Aging. Call 800-510-2020 or contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) office for answers to your specific questions and for services for seniors and adults with disabilities.
BenefitsCheckUp. Developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp.org is a Web-based service to help seniors with limited income and resources figure out the benefits programs for which they might be eligible. The site screens federal, state, and local programs for assistance in paying for services and products such as health care, in-home services, nutrition, and prescriptions drugs.
CalCareNet. This California state government site provides a wealth of information about long term care. You can also learn about applying for government assistance.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR). This group can offer you a seasoned and impartial assessment of whether your particular complaint needs action, along with specific help on how to get it. Contact California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), a statewide nonprofit consumer advocacy group, or call its hotline at 800-474-1116.
California Department of Health Services. If you could not resolve a problem with a care provider staff member or administrator, consider filing a complaint with the state agency that enforces nursing home laws and regulations, Licensing and Certification (L&C) Program or call 800-236-9747.
California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This state program assigns to every nursing facility an ombudsman — a person outside the facility, not associated with the ownership — who is available to investigate problems and endeavors to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, residents in residential care facilities. Residents or their family members can file a complaint directly with the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman or by calling the statewide CRISISline at 800-231-4024, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ombudsman services are free and confidential and may include:
- Questions or concerns about quality of care
- Questions or concerns about financial abuse
- Suspected physical, mental or emotional abuse of residents
- Witnessing services for Advance Health Care Directives
- Requesting an Ombudsman to attend a resident care plan meeting
- Requesting an Ombudsman to attend a resident or family council meeting
For help, contact the local Ombudsman Program Coordinator.
Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAPs). For information on Medicare coverage and its costs, including free individual counseling, contact the local HICAPs office.
Long Term Care Assistant. Not sure what type of care provider you need? Answer ten simple questions and get recommendations that fit your situation.
National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care. This project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a comprehensive hub of information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care needs. See the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care.
Network of Care. These Web sites provide information on long term services and support in counties that purchase the service. Network of Care is available in Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, Kings, Los Angeles, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Tehama Counties.
Paying for Senior Care. PayingforSeniorCare.org is a free Web site that provides information and a resource locator tool to help consumers identify financial resources to pay for long term care services for themselves or a loved one. The site compares benefits and provides information about common misperceptions, long term care statistics, and a glossary of terms.
Senior Legal Hotline. Contact this organization for legal advice at 800-222-1753.
For other concerns, see our Contact Us page. Browse a complete list of long term care providers.