Who is the long-term care ombudsman for Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield?
The local ombudsman program for Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent and Charles City is run by Senior Connections - The Span Center at 1300 Semmes Avenue, Richmond, reachable at 804-343-3000; it advocates for residents of assisted living facilities and nursing homes for free.
A long-term care ombudsman is a free, independent advocate who investigates and resolves complaints about the rights and care of people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The ombudsman acts with the resident's consent and can help with problems that are not violations of any rule -- a care plan that is not followed, a roommate conflict, an unexpected fee or a discharge notice the family disputes.
| The ombudsman | A VDSS licensing complaint | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Resident advocate; resolves problems | Regulator; checks compliance with standards |
| Needs the resident's consent | Yes | No |
| Outcome | Negotiated fix | Inspection, possible violation on the public record |
Who is the ombudsman for Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell?
For the Tri-Cities and surrounding counties, including Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Prince George and Dinwiddie, the ombudsman sits at the Crater District Area Agency on Aging, 23 Seyler Drive, Petersburg, phone 804-732-7020.
If you cannot reach a local office, the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services can be reached at 1-804-565-1600.
When should a Richmond family file a complaint with VDSS licensing instead?
File with VDSS when you believe a licensed assisted living facility is breaking a licensing standard -- for example on staffing, medication handling or supervision -- or when a place appears to be operating without a license; use the VDSS online complaint form or call the Division of Licensing Programs at 1-800-543-7545.
A complaint can lead to an unannounced complaint inspection, and the result is posted on the facility's public record. Nursing home complaints go to the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Licensure and Certification instead.
If a resident may be abused, neglected or exploited, report to Adult Protective Services at (888) 832-3858 as well -- and call 911 first if anyone is in immediate danger.
What should I have ready before calling the ombudsman or VDSS about a Richmond facility?
Write down what happened, when and who was involved, keep copies of the resident agreement, the service plan and any notices, and note whether you raised the problem with the administrator first and what response you got.
Specifics help both offices act quickly: dates of missed medications, names of shifts, photos of conditions, copies of bills with unexpected charges. If you are unsure which office fits, start with the ombudsman, who can tell you whether the problem is also a licensing matter.
Last verified: October 2026
Source: DARS: Find your local ombudsman
Source: VDSS: Submit a complaint
