Critical District Nursing Home Info Now Online

The D.C. Department of Health has begun placing annual nursing home surveys on line.  AARP DC, the D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and other community advocates have long pressed for this sort of access and transparency, to help consumers evaluate the quality of care in District nursing homes.  The surveys assess compliance with federal standards related to adequacy of staffing, quality of care and cleanliness of facilities.  They also include any investigations of complaints and serious incidents within a nursing home.  The language can be complex and confusing.  For help interpreting the reports, call the Health Licensure Regulation Administration at 202-442-5888 or the D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 202-434-2190. 

The nursing home survey webpage is not the only recent District effort to improve the information flow regarding long-term care needs and services.  In July, the city launched a one-stop center, which provides access to multiple agencies under one roof.  The Aging and Disabilities Resource Center (ADRC) offers counseling to lift barriers to quality care — including medical and legal assistance; housing and transportation help; and caregiver support.  Residents can call (202-724-5626), visit (1134 11th St., NW) or log on at www.adrcdc.org.

AARP DC is committed to ensuring that residents get the care they need in the setting they choose.  If you contact the ADRC, we'd like to hear about your experience.  If you're on a waiting list for home-based care, let us know about that too.  Help us understand what's working and what's not.

Share your experiences at 202-434-6636 or dcaarp@aarp.org.

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Other Resources:

DOH: Health Care Facilities Division - Nursing Home Directory
Names and contact info for DC nursing homes