Official Site of The State of New Jersey

May 2026

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Residents and the Fear of Retaliation

Federal and state laws establish robust rights and protections for nursing home residents, including the right to raise concerns about the care or services they receive without facing retaliation by facility staff members or administrators.

And yet many residents still hesitate to speak up because they expect retaliation. The Long-Term Care Community Coalition published an authoritative study on the fear of retaliation titled They Make You Pay. Read the report .

At the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO), we encourage residents to voice concerns when something is wrong. If no one ever complains, the quality of life in the nursing home will never improve. But we recognize the threats that residents may face. We have seen a spike in retaliation reports, and responding to them is a priority in our advocacy efforts.

Retaliation can be subtle —a staff member treating you differently, for example, or taking longer to respond to call bells. Or it can be blatant, such as threatening to discharge you from the nursing home. If you are experiencing retaliation, document every incident. Note the date and time. Record what happened, who was involved, and whether any residents or staff witnessed it.

Next steps? Is there a...

• Trusted staff member or manager you can approach with your concerns?
• Resident Council or Family Council at your nursing home that could help?

Always file a complaint with the LTCO—
Phone: 1-877-582-6995
Email: ombudsman@ltco.nj.gov
Website: www.nj.gov/ltco
Learn more by downloading a guide published by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

Resident Consumer Protection Bill Passes NJ Senate

Bill S3023, which would protect the legal and financial interests of long-term care residents, passed the state Senate on March 23 by a vote of 28 to 9.

The bill is designed to prevent residents from being coerced or deceived into signing agreements that limit their ability to pursue future legal action. Also under the bill, individuals who help residents apply for Medicaid must receive training and disclose any financial ties they have to a long-term care facility.

After passing the Senate, Bill S3023 was referred to the Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee. Meanwhile, similar legislation — Bill A1752 — is awaiting action in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.

Resident Voices: As Mother's Day is approaching, it can be a time to reminisce about our moms and qualities they shared. Tell me something special about your mom.

• My step grandmother raised me. She was a lovely woman who took care of me and then when I had kids she took care of them too. Now I have 5 kids and 6 grandkids. - Alex P.
• Oh, I loved my mother so much. She was so strong and we learned how to be through her actions. I miss her very much. - Suzy C.
• My mother was a very kind person. She liked to throw a party and when I say throw a party I mean THROW A PARTY. - Ira O.