New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Information on
Novel Coronavirus

Have general questions about COVID-19?
The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1 • Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ or nj.gov/health for additional information

Coronavirus update: On March 13, the federal government ordered long-term care facilities to restrict all visits. At this time, all visits by NJ LTCO staff are suspended. However, the NJ LTCO continues to accept complaints and will reach out to the long-term care facility by telephone in order to attempt to resolve any problems a resident might be experiencing. The LTCO can be reached by calling 1-877-582-6995 or by email at ombudsman@ltco.nj.gov You can find additional information on these restrictions on the NJ Department of Health website or you can call the DOH at 1-800-792-9770. Additional info for families and residents is also available on the Consumer Voice website.

Resident and Family Councils

activities

Residents and family members are always encouraged to bring their concerns about care to the attention of the nursing facility management.

Residents of long-term care facilities have a right to be active participants in their care planning. In addition, family members can ask to be invited to their loved one’s care conferences, with the resident’s consent.

A good way for residents and family members to share information and to transmit care concerns to the administration of the facility is by participating in resident councils or family councils.

Resident councils are run by residents. Residents have the right to organize and participate in these council and the administration of the facility is required to respond to concerns raised during the council meeting.
Learn more about resident councils.

Family councils are run by family members. If there is no active council, the family member may wish to consider working with other family members to ask the nursing home for support in starting a family council.
Learn more regarding resident rights and family councils.