Last verified: October 2026
Who do you call about a problem in a Baltimore assisted living program or nursing home?
It depends on the problem: the long-term care ombudsman advocates for the resident, OHCQ investigates violations of licensing rules, and Adult Protective Services responds to suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation through the 24-hour hotline 1-800-91-PREVENT (1-800-917-7383).
| Concern | Who handles it | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Resident rights, care disputes, discharge notices | Local long-term care ombudsman | Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Maryland Department of Aging, 36 S. Charles Street, 12th Floor, Baltimore -- 410-767-1100 or 800-243-3425 |
| Licensing violations, unsafe conditions | OHCQ | Online complaint form; assisted living unit (410) 402-8217 |
| Abuse, neglect, financial exploitation | Adult Protective Services (local DSS) | 1-800-91-PREVENT (1-800-917-7383) |
| Billing disputes | Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division | 410-528-8662 |
| Immediate danger | Police / EMS | 911 |
What does a Maryland long-term care ombudsman actually do?
Ombudsmen advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living, act only at the resident's direction and with consent, and are free and confidential. They do not license or fine facilities -- that is OHCQ's job.
Ombudsmen visit facilities, attend resident and family councils, and help with care-plan meetings and involuntary discharge notices. Baltimore County's program is at 410-887-4200; Harford County's at 410-638-3025; other jurisdictions are reached through the state office or the local aging office.
Source: Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
How do you file a complaint with OHCQ?
Use OHCQ's online complaint form, which routes the complaint to the right unit immediately, or mail or fax the paper form; complaints can be anonymous.
Include dates, names and what you observed, and attach documents with the first filing. OHCQ triages complaints and investigates under state and federal law; for nursing homes, substantiated complaints also show up later in CMS data.
Source: OHCQ: File a Complaint
When should you call Adult Protective Services?
Maryland's Department of Human Services runs a 24-hour hotline for reporting suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or a child; local departments of social services in each county and Baltimore City carry out Adult Protective Services investigations.
You do not need proof to call. If a resident is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Is the ombudsman the same as the state inspector?
No.
| Ombudsman | OHCQ |
|---|---|
| Advocate acting with the resident's consent | Regulator enforcing COMAR |
| No power to fine | Can impose penalties, directed plans, suspension |
| Part of the Department of Aging network | Part of the Maryland Department of Health |
Can a Maryland assisted living program evict a resident?
A program can discharge a resident only for reasons and with notice the regulations allow -- for example when needs exceed its licensed level and no waiver is approved -- and the resident has rights to written notice and to dispute the discharge.
Call the local ombudsman as soon as a discharge notice arrives; ombudsmen deal with these regularly and can help negotiate time or a safer plan.
