Seniors & Aging · Surprise rank #421
Nursing Home or Assisted-Living Problem? Get a Free Long-Term Care Ombudsman
New York’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program gives residents and families a free advocate for rights, quality-of-care concerns and problems in long-term-care facilities.
Who
Residents of nursing homes, assisted living and licensed adult-care facilities, plus families and representatives seeking help for a resident.
What to do
Start here: Contact New York’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at the statewide number or use the state page to reach the local program.
Eligibility: The concern must involve a resident or prospective resident of a covered long-term-care setting within the program’s scope.
What you get
Ombudsmen educate residents about rights, investigate concerns with permission and advocate with facilities and others to resolve problems.
Benefit: Free independent advocacy and problem-solving around resident rights and quality of life or care.
Possible value: No cash benefit; it provides independent advocacy that families would otherwise have to navigate themselves or potentially pay professionals to obtain.
Good to know
Important: An ombudsman is an advocate, not the facility regulator and not a lawyer who automatically imposes penalties. Serious regulatory complaints may also need the Department of Health or another authority.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Families often complain only to the facility itself and never learn there is an independent resident advocate available for free.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026