Stamford Senior AdvisorWhere do I file a complaint about a Connecticut care facility?
Complaints about care in a nursing home, residential care home, assisted living services agency or home health agency go to the Department of Public Health's Facility Licensing and Investigations Section, through its online complaint form at dphflisevents.ct.gov or by calling 860-509-7400.
Describe what happened, when, who was involved and any harm to the resident. DPH investigates licensing complaints and can cite the provider. The 2023 state auditors found DPH does not always report complaint results promptly, so keep your own notes and dates, and follow up if you hear nothing.
How do I report suspected abuse or neglect of an older adult in Connecticut?
Call the Department of Social Services' Protective Services for the Elderly at 1-888-385-4225 for anyone 60 or older who may be abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned, wherever they live, and call 911 first if the situation is life-threatening.
Written reports can be made on DSS form W-675. The Attorney General's Elder Justice Hotline (860-808-5555) handles scams and financial exploitation questions, and a separate hotline (800-828-9769) takes complaints about hospice and Medicare home health. Reporting to Protective Services does not prevent you from also filing a DPH complaint about a facility.
What does the Long-Term Care Ombudsman do for Fairfield County residents?
Connecticut's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates, free and confidentially, for residents of nursing homes, residential care homes and assisted living, helping them resolve problems with care, rights, discharges and fees; reach it at 1-866-388-1888 or 860-424-5200.
The program divides the state into regions: in Fairfield County its Region 3 covers towns such as Bridgeport, Fairfield, Newtown, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull and Westport, Region 7 covers Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford and Wilton, and Region 1 includes Danbury, Bethel and Brookfield. The ombudsman works for the resident, not the facility, and acts only with the resident's consent.
Can a resident be punished for complaining?
No: Connecticut's managed residential community bill of rights guarantees residents the right to present grievances without reprisal, and from October 1, 2026 assisted living agencies must train staff every year on residents' fear of retaliation and their right to complain (PA 26-44).
If a resident or family believes a complaint led to worse treatment, a fee change or a discharge threat, tell the ombudsman and DPH, and put it in writing. Keep copies of any notices the community sends.
At a glance
| Call this agency | For this | |
|---|---|---|
| DPH Facility Licensing (860-509-7400) | Care quality and licensing violations | Personal legal disputes or billing contracts |
| Protective Services (1-888-385-4225) | Abuse, neglect or exploitation of someone 60+ | General complaints about food or activities |
| Ombudsman (1-866-388-1888) | Advocacy for a resident's rights and wishes | Emergencies, which go to 911 |
Sources include the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (19-13-D105 and related sections), the Connecticut General Statutes as summarized by the Office of Legislative Research, DPH, DSS and Aging and Disability Services pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
