A complaint about a licensed facility's quality of care can be directed to DHS's Bureau of Assisted Living (608-266-8482), and residents of licensed long-term-care facilities can also contact the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-815-0015.
What this means in practice
It helps to know the difference between these two paths before you need either one. The Bureau of Assisted Living can investigate a facility's licensing compliance and cite violations; the Ombudsman Program advocates directly for the resident, helps resolve disputes, and can get involved with the resident's (or their legal representative's) consent, even without the family filing a formal state complaint. In Milwaukee County specifically, ombudsman assignment is by zip code rather than one countywide contact, but calling the statewide number above will route you correctly regardless. If the situation involves suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation rather than a facility-standards issue, that's a different pathway -- see the Adult Protective Services FAQ below.
Related questions
- Does Wisconsin have one 'assisted living license' like some other states?
- What is a CBRF in Wisconsin?
- What is an RCAC and how is it different from a CBRF?
- What is an Adult Family Home (AFH) in Wisconsin?
- Does a Wisconsin nursing home need a different license than assisted living?
- How do I check whether a Milwaukee-area facility's license is current?
- Who licenses and regulates senior care facilities in Wisconsin?
