Resources for Families of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Residents

Having a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility raises a lot of questions — about their care, their rights, and what to do if something feels wrong. Below is a collection of local, state, and federal resources available to North Carolina families. These organizations can help with everything from filing a complaint to understanding Medicaid coverage to simply talking through what you’re seeing.

If you believe your loved one has been harmed, Todd Law Offices is here to help you understand your legal options — but many of the resources below are free and can help right away, regardless of whether you ever need an attorney.

If Your Loved One Is in Immediate Danger

  • Call 911 for any medical emergency or immediate threat to safety.
  • County Adult Protective Services (APS), through your local Department of Social Services, investigates suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults 18+ who are disabled or elderly. Find your county DSS contact at ncdhhs.gov.
  • NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) Complaint Intake takes complaints about licensed nursing homes and adult care homes: 1-800-624-3004.

North Carolina State Resources

  • NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Oversees licensing, regulation, and oversight of long-term care facilities statewide. ncdhhs.gov
  • Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) — Adult Care Licensure & Nursing Home Licensure Sections Licenses and inspects nursing homes and adult care homes, investigates complaints, and publishes inspection/survey reports. Complaint line: 1-800-624-3004 ncdhhs.gov/dhsr
  • NC Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) State agency for aging services, including oversight of Adult Protective Services and the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/aging
  • NC State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Trained advocates who work on behalf of residents to resolve complaints about care, rights, and quality of life in nursing homes and assisted living facilities — free and confidential. ncdhhs.gov
  • NC Medicaid Information on Medicaid coverage for long-term care, including eligibility for nursing facility and personal care services. medicaid.ncdhhs.gov
  • NC Division of Veterans Affairs Helps veterans and surviving spouses access VA benefits, including Aid & Attendance payments that can help cover assisted living or nursing home costs. milvets.nc.gov

Federal Resources

  • Eldercare Locator A national directory service, run by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, that connects families to local aging services — including ombudsman programs, legal services, and caregiver support. 1-800-677-1116 | eldercare.acl.gov
  • Medicare Care Compare Search and compare nursing home inspection results, staffing levels, and quality ratings for any Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility. medicare.gov/care-compare
  • Administration for Community Living (ACL) Federal agency overseeing aging and disability programs nationwide, including the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center. acl.gov
  • National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center Background on residents’ rights and how the ombudsman process works nationally. ltcombudsman.org
  • National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Research, statistics, and educational materials on recognizing and reporting elder abuse. ncea.acl.gov
  • Social Security Administration For questions about benefits, representative payees, or reporting misuse of a loved one’s benefits. 1-800-772-1213 | ssa.gov

Local & Regional Resources

  • Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) North Carolina is divided into 16 regional Area Agencies on Aging, each offering services like in-home care referrals, caregiver support, and local ombudsman contacts. Find your region through the NC Association of Area Agencies on Aging. nc4a.org
  • County Departments of Social Services (DSS) Handles Adult Protective Services investigations and Medicaid applications at the county level. ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/local-dss-directory
  • NC 211 A free, confidential referral line connecting North Carolinians to local health and human service resources, including elder care support. Dial 2-1-1 | nc211.org

Advocacy, Legal Aid & Support Organizations

  • Friends of Residents in Long Term Care (FORLTC) A North Carolina nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of long-term care residents statewide. friendsofresidents.org
  • Legal Aid of North Carolina — Seniors’ Law Project Free civil legal help for eligible low-income North Carolinians on issues including elder abuse, guardianship, and public benefits. 1-866-219-5262 | legalaidnc.org
  • National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care National advocacy organization with practical guides on residents’ rights, choosing a facility, and family councils. theconsumervoice.org
  • Alzheimer’s Association — North Carolina chapters Support, education, and a 24/7 helpline for families of residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s. 1-800-272-3900 | alz.org/nc
  • AARP North Carolina Resources on caregiving, long-term care planning, and consumer protection for older adults. states.aarp.org/north-carolina

Choosing or Evaluating a Facility

  • Medicare Care Compare — inspection reports, staffing data, and star ratings for every certified facility in the state: medicare.gov/care-compare
  • NC DHSR Facility Search — licensing status and survey/inspection history for NC-licensed facilities: available through ncdhhs.gov/dhsr

Warning Signs Worth Paying Attention To

If you notice any of the following during a visit, it’s worth asking questions — and documenting what you see:

  • Unexplained bruising, cuts, or weight loss
  • Bedsores (pressure ulcers), especially advanced ones
  • Unsanitary conditions, soiled bedding, or lack of hygiene assistance
  • Sudden changes in mood, withdrawal, or fear around certain staff
  • Medication errors or missed doses
  • Frequent falls or unexplained injuries
  • Unusual financial transactions or missing belongings

None of these automatically mean abuse or neglect occurred — but they’re reasons to ask the facility directly, document what you observe, and consider reaching out to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman or an attorney.

How Todd Law Offices Can Help

The resources above can help you report concerns, connect with support, and better understand your loved one’s rights. If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a nursing home or assisted living facility, Todd Law Offices can review what happened and explain your legal options — free of charge for an initial consultation.

Contact us today to speak with someone who can help.

This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact information for third-party organizations is subject to change; please confirm current details directly with each organization.