NJ Elder Ombudsman

06/01/2026

New Jersey has the money to increase the personal needs allowance. It's a small price to give people their dignity.

After a lifetime of work, nursing home residents deserve more.

05/08/2026

Residents from NJ Nursing Home Residents United were able to testify in front of the NJ Assembly to show the importance increasing the Personal Needs Allowance from $50 to $140. Here's a short clip of how that went. Let's keep the momentum going to get this legislation passed!

04/27/2026

"Even though government dollars are meant to cover the cost of our care, residents are still responsible for everyday essentials like clothing, haircuts and snacks. We’re expected to cover all of that with just $50 a month. It shouldn’t be this way, especially when billions of taxpayer dollars flow into nursing homes each year."

New Jersey facilities received massive public funding yet paid $285 million above allowable costs to companies they own, while residents struggle to afford snacks, greeting cards and basic toiletries on meager monthly allowances.

04/27/2026

New Jersey facilities received massive public funding yet paid $285 million above allowable costs to companies they own, while residents struggle to afford snacks, greeting cards and basic toiletries on meager monthly allowances. 🗞️ There's more at the link in comments.

04/20/2026

Congratulations to our General Counsel, Beth L. Barnhard, who received a Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Bar Association's Elder and Disability Law Section recognizing her contributions as a champion for older adults and people with disabilities. The surprise award was presented April 17 at the 28th annual Elder and Disability Law Retreat. Beth was a presenter, along with our Chief of Staff, Lisa Mullen, and Policy Director, Amy Brown, teaching other elder law attorneys how to fight back against improper nursing home discharges.

03/18/2026

We are so thankful that Senate Bill S2980 is moving forward, and that Senators got to hear directly from residents who feel the effects of understaffing and neglect that characterize many for-profit nursing homes. Residents are the experts of their own experience. They know when their quality of life does not improve, no matter how many taxpayer dollars are given to the owners. Bill S2980 will give greater transparency into where the money goes.

Senate panel advances bill to track billions flowing out of nursing homes and into owners' pockets

03/18/2026

New Jersey nursing home residents took center stage during a March 16 hearing at the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. They spoke of understaffing and neglect, dreadful food, shoddy supplies, buildings in disrepair, all weaving into an essential question: Where does the money go?

Bill S2980 seeks to get to the bottom of that by requiring detailed, audited financial data from nursing homes and any related companies involved in their operations. The bill was approved by a 6-1 vote.

Ray DiFrancesco, Gail Smith, and James Cook — members of NJ Nursing Home Residents United — testified. A statement by resident Tanette Clegg was read into the record by LTCO Director of Community Engagement Eliz Speidel.

The residents were part of a broad coalition of advocates supporting S2980, including eldercare attorneys, labor leaders, and representatives of groups such as AARP New Jersey, the League of Women Voters, and Disability Rights NJ.

New Jersey’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, said Bill S2980 will provide needed insight into related parties — companies engaged in the nursing home operations that are owned by the same people who own the nursing home. The arrangement enables related parties to overcharge the nursing home and reap hidden profits for the people who own both companies.

Read her testimony at https://nj.gov/ooie/news/2026/03182026.shtml

03/17/2026

The nursing home industry says they provide enough info to the state. Critics say their true ownership is often obscured.

02/12/2026

Senate Democrats have introduced the Nurses Belong in Nursing Homes Act, a bill that would require staffing standards similar to those repealed in recent legislation. This bill would call for $800 million in enforcement funding plus Civil Money Penalty funds to go toward investing in the long-term care workforce. Read more: https://www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-members-news/wyden-senate-democrats-introduce-bill-to-restore-quality-care-in-nursing-homes-after-trump-gutted-staffing-standards

02/12/2026

The federal government has completed its betrayal of the 1 million people who live in nursing homes by rescinding bare minimum staffing rules that were enacted less than two years ago. NJ Nursing Home Residents United, a group of resident leaders from across the state, voiced their objection directly to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Read their choice words here:https://nj.gov/ooie/pdf/ResidentsUnitedAMessageonStaffing.pdf