The Care Quality Commission has launched a partnership with The Silver Line helpline, a free confidential service for older people.
Through the "tell us about your care" partnership, people will be able to share their concerns, or share examples of best practice, with the possibility of being anonymous.
The helpline has been running for one year, with the biggest problem being loneliness, with 54% of callers saying they had no one else to talk to.
The Silver Line has also trained 850 volunteers to make regular befriending calls to more than 1100 older people, while their Silver Circles runs conference calls for like-minded people and there are also Silver Letters for those who like to write and receive hand-written letters.
Sophie Andrews, CEO at The Silver Line, said: "Silver Line has been described as ChildLine for Older People and we are delighted to mark our first birthday, with this life-saving new partnership. We will work jointly with CQC to help older people and their families raise concerns about the standard of care they are receiving whether in a care home or in their own homes.
"One of the first calls to The Silver Line was from a lady in a care home who was too afraid to give her name but did give the name of the care home where the residents had been left without food and the heating turned off. The police were involved and the residents are now safe.
"The Silver Line is in a unique position to reach and be reached by people who would not otherwise report poor standards of care and neglect and to work with CQC to better protect the most vulnerable and growing sector of our society - the frail oldest people. We are now exploring opportunities with Care Inspectorates in all the nations. "
Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care at the Care Quality Commission, said: "I am very pleased that CQC will be working in partnership with The Silver Line to reach the most isolated older people who are receiving care and may need our support and protection.
"We believe that working together, we will be able to improve the standards of care for older people that may be falling short of the quality they need and deserve. It is also an opportunity to recognise examples of excellence and to highlight best practice to share with others."
