Nursing Homes

This section provides information about rights and resources for individuals residing in a nursing home or long-term care facility.

• COVID-19: Updates for the Community
• Resources
• Complaint Process
• Videos
• Helpful Links

COVID-19: Updates for the Community

This video discusses the current nationwide emergency and its impact on the community we serve. Despite continued challenges, the staff at the disAbility Law Center of Virginia will continue providing advocacy and support to people with disabilities.

If you know about a situation that is unfolding or a rights violation going on in a facility, please call us at 800-552-3962 (Toll-Free).

Resources

Fact Sheets

Complaint Processes

If you or someone you care about has been abused, neglected, or exploited, contact Adult Protective Services at 1-888-832-3858 or Child Protective Services at 1-800-552-7096 regardless of the setting in which the abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.  If you or someone you support is in immediate danger, call 911.

Virginia Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

A long-term care ombudsman is an official who works for the State and investigates complaints from older individuals at long-term care facilities or assisted living facilities against a facility.  Each nursing home has an ombudsman assigned to it and their contact information should be posted in a visible location.  The ombudsman also helps with appeals to discharge notices.

Find the ombudsman for your facility and their contact information.  You can also call the Office at (804) 565-1600 or (800) 552-3402.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU)

The Office of the Attorney General has a unit to investigate concerns about Medicaid fraud.  To report Medicaid Fraud, you can contact MFCU at (804) 371-0779 or (800) 371-0824 or email MFCU_mail@oag.state.va.us.

Virginia Department of Health – Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC)

The Office of Licensure and Certification certifies and licenses long term care facilities and ensures that facilities are following Medicare/Medicaid requirements.  In addition, OLC investigates individuals’ complaints.

You can submit a complaint to the Complaint Unit by calling them at (804)367-2106 or (800)955-1819 or completing a form and following the instructions to submit it on their website.

Department of Health Professions (DHP)

The Department of Health Professions licenses and regulates health professionals and investigates complaints against health professionals.  There are 13 Boards that oversee health professions: medicine, nursing, long-term care administrators, social work, physical therapy, etc.

If you have a complaint or concern against a doctor, nurse, social worker or any other licensed health professional, you can submit a complaint to DHP or call them at (804) 367-4691 or (800) 533-1560.

Videos

Constipation & Bowel Obstruction // Advocate For Your Rights

Learn more about constipation… The most common cause of preventable deaths in the community setting.

Readmission Rights In Nursing Homes

In this video, we will be discussing the rights of residents in nursing homes, specifically the right of readmission after a hospital stay. Learn about your rights when living in a nursing home or long-term care facility at https://www.dlcv.org/nursing-homes.

Helpul Links

• State Operations Manual for Long Term Care Facilities – Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Manual contains guidance for the regulation of long-term care facilities.
• Updated CMS Federal Nursing Home Regulations – In November 2019, Part III of new federal requirements were implemented and this link explains the new requirements.
• Virginia State Bar Senior Citizen Handbook – Provides an overview of resources and rights for elder citizens.
• Statewide Senior Legal Helpline – Virginia Poverty Law Center has a helpline to address issues such as long-term care, public benefits, abuse and neglect, etc.
• The National Consumer Voice for Long-Term Care – Provides resources and information for advocates, consumers, and families.  The Consumer Voice put together a helpful factsheet of Nursing Home Residents’ Rights.