Delaware Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Delaware 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
Delaware Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Department of Health and Social Services
Delaware 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 Delaware, contact Delaware Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Department of Health and Social Services at 877-453-0012 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 800-223-9074.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Delaware assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Delaware, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Delaware
Assisted living facilities in Delaware are licensed and investigated by the Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ) within the Department of Health and Social Services, under the regulations at 16 DE Admin Code 3225. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state is the primary authority that sets standards, conducts inspections, and responds to complaints about these facilities.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Delaware
You can report a concern to the Division of Health Care Quality's 24-hour toll-free complaint and incident line at 877-453-0012, or file through the online incident reporting portal at dhss.delaware.gov/dhcq/report-abuse/. Complaints may be made orally or in writing, and you may file anonymously. When you report, give as much detail as you can — the facility name and address, resident name, the names of staff involved, and the specific dates, times, and events — so investigators have what they need to act.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Delaware
In Delaware, memory care is provided within assisted living facilities that operate secured memory care units for residents living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Staff who provide direct care in these units must complete additional dementia care training, both at hire and annually, covering communication, residents' psychological and physical needs, nonpharmacological approaches, and safety measures such as preventing unauthorized exits. Complaints about memory care are filed the same way as any other assisted living complaint, through the Division of Health Care Quality.
DelawareAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Delaware Licenses Assisted Living
Delaware licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Facilities under the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Quality, governed by 16 DE Admin Code 3225. Dementia care is provided within secured memory care units that meet additional staff training requirements.
Statute of Limitations
2 years
In Delaware, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 2 years. If the claim is classified as medical malpractice, the deadline may be 3 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
After a complaint is received, the Division of Health Care Quality reviews it and prioritizes investigations based on the severity of the alleged harm. Complaints alleging immediate jeopardy to a resident's health or safety are investigated on an expedited basis, while other complaints are scheduled according to risk.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and licensing inspections of assisted living facilities are generally conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe day-to-day conditions and care as they actually are.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Division generally notifies you of the outcome of the investigation once it is complete. Anonymous complainants will not receive follow-up because there is no way to reach them.
Enforcement Actions
When deficiencies are found, the Division of Health Care Quality can require a plan of correction and may impose civil money penalties, restrict admissions, or move to suspend or revoke a facility's license for serious or repeated violations. Cases involving abuse or criminal conduct may be referred to law enforcement or the Attorney General.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Delaware. The Division of Health Care Quality 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 — Delaware Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Department of Health and Social Services: dhss.delaware.gov
- Resident rights — 16 DE Admin Code 3225-14.0: regulations.delaware.gov
- Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman: dhss.delaware.gov
- Mailing address — Delaware Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Department of Health and Social Services: Division of Health Care Quality, Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification, The Cambridge Building, University Office Plaza, 263 Chapman Road, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19702
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Delaware assisted living complaint anonymously?expand_more
What number do I call, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in Delaware?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.