Arkansas Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report an Arkansas assisted living facility. Immediate reporting tools, residents' rights, and legal advocacy for residents and families.
Reviewed by Nick Kassatly, Esq. · Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care (Complaint Unit)
Arkansas Adult Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Serving as an advocacy program to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities.
To report an assisted living facility in Arkansas, contact Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care (Complaint Unit) at 1-800-582-4887 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 501-363-6378.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in an Arkansas assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Arkansas, assisted living facilities are licensed as Level I or Level II Assisted Living Facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Arkansas
Assisted living facilities in Arkansas are licensed and inspected by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care. Unlike skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities are not certified by Medicare or Medicaid, so there is no federal survey program — the state is the primary authority that sets standards, conducts inspections, and investigates complaints against assisted living facilities.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Arkansas
You can file a complaint with the Office of Long Term Care by calling the complaint hotline at 1-800-582-4887 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), by faxing the Complaint Unit at 501-682-8540, or by mailing the Complaints Unit at P.O. Box 8059, Slot S407, Little Rock, AR 72203-8059. You may file orally or in writing, and you may remain anonymous. To help investigators, provide as much detail as possible — the facility name and address, the names of residents, staff, and witnesses involved, and the specific dates, times, and events you are reporting.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Arkansas
In Arkansas, memory care is provided through Alzheimer's Special Care Units (ASCUs), which must be housed in a separate and distinct part of an assisted living facility. Staff in these units must complete additional dementia-specific training, including coursework on the stages of Alzheimer's disease and behavior management, plus ongoing in-service training. Complaints about a facility's memory care unit follow the same process: contact the Office of Long Term Care using the hotline, fax, or mailing address above.
ArkansasAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Arkansas Licenses Assisted Living
Arkansas licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Facilities — either Level I or Level II — under the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care. Level II facilities may serve residents who need a higher level of care and must have a registered nurse on staff. Memory care is provided in Alzheimer's Special Care Units (ASCUs) within either level.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years. If the claim is classified as medical malpractice, the deadline may be 2 years from the date of injury or discovery. A discovery rule may apply, meaning the clock may not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your case, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Complaint Types Investigated
Abuse and neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, financial exploitation, improper evictions or transfers, and violations of residents' rights.
What Happens After You File
Investigation Timeline
The Office of Long Term Care reviews each complaint and prioritizes it by severity. Allegations that a resident faces immediate danger receive the fastest response, while less urgent complaints are scheduled in the normal course. Reporting promptly matters, because it is harder to gather accurate information about events that occurred months earlier.
Unannounced Inspections
On-site complaint investigations of assisted living facilities are generally conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe the facility's normal day-to-day operations and conditions.
Complainant Notification
If you want the investigator to contact you, you must provide your name, address, and telephone number or email when you file. The Office of Long Term Care can then notify you of the outcome; anonymous complainants cannot be contacted because there is no way to reach them.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are confirmed, the Office of Long Term Care may require a plan of correction and can impose enforcement actions ranging from deficiency citations and civil penalties to suspension or revocation of the facility's license, depending on the severity and pattern of the violations.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care accepts anonymous complaints, and your identity as a complainant is protected. Providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up for additional details, which can strengthen the investigation.
Official Sources
- Complaint filing — Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care (Complaint Unit): humanservices.arkansas.gov
- Resident rights — Ark. Code Ann. § 20-10-1701 et seq. (Arkansas Assisted Living Act); ALF Rules § 603 (Residents' Bill of Rights): humanservices.arkansas.gov
- Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman: arombudsman.dhs.arkansas.gov
- Mailing address — Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care (Complaint Unit): Complaints Unit, Office of Long Term Care, P.O. Box 8059, Slot S407, Little Rock, AR 72203-8059
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint in Arkansas anonymously?expand_more
What is the phone number to report an assisted living facility in Arkansas, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in Arkansas?expand_more
Not Sure Where to Start?
Speak with an advocate who can guide you through the reporting process and help evaluate your family's legal options.