Agency of Aging (https://www.usaging.org/)

USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. 

Whether it is helping Washington set priorities, building the capacity of our members, raising the visibility of AAAs and Title VI programs nationwide, offering training and educational events, or working to drive excellence in the fields of Information & Referral/Assistance, transportation, livable communities, and volunteerism, USAging is dedicated to supporting the success of its members.

Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org/)

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) seeks to improve the quality of life for caregivers through education, services, research, and advocacy. Through its National Center on Caregiving, FCA offers information on current social, public policy and caregiving issues, provides assistance in the development of public and private programs for caregivers, and assists caregivers nationwide in locating resources in their communities. For San Francisco Bay Area residents, FCA provides direct family support services for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, ALS, head injury, Parkinson’s disease, and other debilitating health conditions that strike adults.

AARP (https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/)

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://nami.org/Home)

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Need a list of assisted living facilities and nursing homes?

Visit your states official website to find a list of facilities.

Need help once a loved one is placed in a nursing home or assisted living?

Long-term Care Ombudsmen (https://ltcombudsman.org/)

Long-term care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes and assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen provide information about how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. They are trained to resolve problems. If you want, the Ombudsman can assist you with complaints. However, unless you give the Ombudsman permission to share your concerns, these matters are kept confidential. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system.

The Ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA)/Administration for Community Living (ACL).  The network has 5,947 volunteers certified to handle complaints and 1,362 paid staff. Most state Ombudsman programs are housed in their State Unit on Aging.  Nationally, in 2019 the Ombudsman program investigated over 198,502 complaints and provided information on long-term care to another 425,084 people.

Having issues or concerns while your loved one is in the hospital?

Patient and Family Advocate department at the hospital

If you aren’t being heard by your loved ones care team, you have the option to speak to a patient/family advocate to help you resolve the issue.