Baton Rouge Senior AdvisorWhere do I report a licensing problem at a Baton Rouge care facility?
To the Louisiana Department of Health's Health Standards Section, by phone at 1-888-810-1819 or on its written complaint form; it investigates complaints about ARCPs, nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices, and its investigations are unannounced (LAC 48:I.6821).
Write down dates, times, names and what you saw before you call. If LDH substantiates a complaint, the provider receives a statement of deficiencies and must submit a plan of correction, which later becomes public and must be posted at an ARCP.
Who investigates abuse of an older adult in Louisiana?
Elderly Protective Services, part of the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, investigates abuse, neglect, exploitation and extortion of people 60 and older, whether they live at home or in a facility; call 1-833-577-6532.
Adults 18 to 59 with disabilities are served by LDH's Adult Protective Services at 1-800-898-4910. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. Louisiana law requires anyone who knows of abuse, neglect, exploitation or extortion of an adult with disabilities to report it and protects good-faith reporters (R.S. 14:403.2).
What does the long-term care ombudsman do for Baton Rouge residents?
The ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted living and personal care homes, visits facilities, investigates residents' complaints and helps resolve them; in the Baton Rouge region the Capital Area Agency on Aging sponsors the program, reachable at (800) 833-9883, and the service is free and confidential.
The Baton Rouge region's ombudsman coverage reaches well beyond the capital, from the Felicianas to Assumption and Terrebonne. The state ombudsman office answers at (866) 632-0922. Ombudsmen act on the resident's wishes, so they are often the right first call when a resident wants a problem fixed without moving.
Which number should I call first?
Call 911 for immediate danger, Elderly Protective Services for suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of someone 60 or older, LDH's complaint line for licensing violations, and the ombudsman when a resident wants help resolving a problem with the facility.
Calling more than one is fine and common. A missed medication pattern might go to LDH and the ombudsman; a suspected financial exploitation case by a relative goes to Elderly Protective Services. None of these agencies charges for help.
Can a facility retaliate against a resident for complaining?
Louisiana protects residents' right to voice complaints without retaliation, and retaliation is itself something to report to LDH and the ombudsman.
Signs of retaliation can include sudden rate changes, a discharge notice soon after a complaint, or reduced attention from staff. Keep copies of everything, and remember that an involuntary discharge can be appealed to the Division of Administrative Law within 30 days of written notice.
Side by side
| This agency handles | This agency does not handle | |
|---|---|---|
| LDH Health Standards (1-888-810-1819) | Licensing violations at licensed providers | Criminal prosecution |
| Elderly Protective Services (1-833-577-6532) | Abuse, neglect and exploitation of people 60+ | Routine billing disputes |
| Ombudsman ((800) 833-9883) | Resident-directed advocacy in facilities | People living at home |
| 911 | Immediate danger | Non-urgent complaints |
Sources: LAC 48:I.Chapter 68 for adult residential care, Louisiana Department of Health (Health Standards Section and Office of Aging and Adult Services) program pages, the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, CareScout and VA rate tables, each cited in the text. Our editorial standards explain how we check them.
