Article by Camden Doren, Social Services Specialist, Ombudsman Program, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2021 May)
All long-term care facilities are inspected or “surveyed” on a regular basis to ensure they are complying with regulations and standards of care. These inspection reports are available to consumers online, and each facility is required by law to make the latest state inspection report available for examination in a place readily accessible to everyone.
These reports provide valuable information about a facility’s deficiency citations in particular areas, and what actions they took to resolve the deficiencies. This information also can be useful for researching a specific facility when considering long-term care options for oneself or a loved one.
Nursing facility surveys can be found through the Care Compare tool located at Medicare, as well as through the state survey agency. Assisted living facilities inspection reports can be found at the Virginia Department of Social Services. The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (NVLTCOP) can also assist consumers in interpreting inspection reports, and can provide aggregate complaint data for specific facilities located in the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Loudoun County.
As a mandated program under the Older Americans Act, the NVLTCOP is often called to assist residents and consumers to advocate for their rights in order to ensure quality of care and quality of life. For more information about inspection reports and complaint data, or other nursing facility and assisted living concerns, please call the NVLTCOP at 703-324-5861, TTY 711, or contact by email.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).