Checking a Facility's Record in Washington, DC

If you're touring a community anywhere from Petworth to the Palisades, the good news is that the District doesn't split this process across multiple counties or agencies the way its neighbors do. Everything - licensing, inspection records, and the ombudsman program - answers to the same city government.

Call the ombudsman first if you have a specific concern

The DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, operated through AARP's Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) as part of the DC Department of Aging and Community Living network, takes calls toll-free at (800) 677-1116 or locally at (202) 434-2120. This is the right first call if your concern involves a specific resident's care, a billing dispute, or a rights violation - the ombudsman is an advocate, not the licensing office.

Pull the license and inspection history

For the underlying paperwork - is the license current, has the facility had recent deficiencies cited - the record sits with DC Health's Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA). HRLA licenses Assisted Living Residences under the Assisted Living Residence Regulatory Act of 2000 and is the same office whether the community is near Chevy Chase DC, Capitol Hill, or Anacostia.

1. Ask the facility directly for its current license number and status.
2. Contact HRLA to confirm that number and request the most recent inspection/survey findings.
3. If anything doesn't line up, or you want a second opinion on what a finding means, call the DC ombudsman program.

The DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) - (202) 724-5626 - is also worth a call if you're earlier in the process and want free options counseling rather than a facility-specific record.