Long-Term Care Ombudsman & Adult Protective Services in Central Ohio

Who to call if you have a concern about a Columbus-area care facility, or about a vulnerable adult's safety — with every phone number and address you need.

Two different systems exist to protect older adults in Ohio, and they serve different purposes. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for residents of licensed care facilities and helps resolve complaints about care, rights, and quality of life. Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, whether in a facility or in their own home. Here's how to reach both in the Columbus area.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Region 6 (Central Ohio)

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program for the central Ohio region — Region 6, which covers Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties — is sponsored locally by Easterseals of Central Ohio.

The ombudsman program can help with concerns about care quality, resident rights, unfair discharge or eviction, care-planning disputes, and general advocacy for someone living in a nursing home, residential care facility (assisted living), or receiving certain home-based services. It's a free, confidential resource, and you don't need to be in crisis to call — ombudsman staff also answer general questions about residents' rights.

Adult Protective Services — Franklin County

If you're concerned about actual abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation of an older or vulnerable adult in Franklin County, Adult Protective Services is run through the Franklin County Office on Aging, under Franklin County Job and Family Services.

For an emergency, for a report outside those hours, or if you live in one of the surrounding counties, Ohio's statewide APS reporting hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA)

For broader questions about aging services, benefits navigation, and local resources beyond a specific complaint or safety concern, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) covers the same eight-county region — Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties.

Which one should you call?

If your concern is about the quality of care, communication, or rights of someone living in a licensed facility, start with the Ombudsman. If you believe someone is actively being harmed, neglected, or financially exploited — whether in a facility or at home — contact Adult Protective Services, or the 24/7 statewide hotline if it's after hours or urgent. If you're not sure which applies, COAAA can help point you in the right direction, and so can we — Darlene isn't a substitute for any of these agencies, but can help you understand which resource fits your situation.