Georgia Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Georgia assisted living community. 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
Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD)
Georgia 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 Georgia, contact Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) at 800-878-6442 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at (866) 552-4464.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Georgia assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Georgia, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Communities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Georgia
Assisted living communities in Georgia are licensed and investigated by the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) within the Department of Community Health, under Rules and Regulations 111-8-63. Smaller residential settings are licensed separately as Personal Care Homes. 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 Georgia
You can report a concern to the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division by calling 800-878-6442 and leaving a detailed voicemail, or by completing the online complaint form at dch.georgia.gov/hfrd-file-complaint. Complaints may be made orally or in writing, and you may file anonymously. When you report, give as much detail as you can — the community name and address, the resident's 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 Georgia
In Georgia, memory care is provided within certified Memory Care Centers operated by assisted living communities and personal care homes. A community that holds itself out as providing specialized care for residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, or that charges higher rates for that care, must obtain a memory care center certification from the Department of Community Health and meet additional design, staffing, and specialized-training requirements. Complaints about memory care are filed the same way as any other assisted living complaint, through the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division.
GeorgiaAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Georgia Licenses Assisted Living
Georgia licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Communities under the Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, governed by Rules and Regulations 111-8-63. Smaller residential settings are licensed separately as Personal Care Homes. Memory care is provided within certified Memory Care Centers that meet additional design, staffing, and training requirements.
Statute of Limitations
2 years
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 2 years from the date of injury. If the claim is classified as medical malpractice, the deadline is also 2 years, but Georgia imposes a 5-year statute of repose — meaning no claim can be filed more than 5 years after the incident regardless of when the injury was 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 Healthcare Facility Regulation Division reviews it and prioritizes the investigation 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 inspections of assisted living communities 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 Healthcare Facility Regulation Division can require a plan of correction and may impose civil money penalties, place conditions on a license, restrict admissions, or move to suspend or revoke a community's license for serious or repeated violations. Cases involving abuse or criminal conduct may be referred to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Georgia. The Healthcare Facility Regulation Division 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 — Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD): dch.georgia.gov
- Resident rights — Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-63-.25: rules.sos.ga.gov
- Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman: georgiaombudsman.org
- Mailing address — Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD): Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, Georgia Department of Community Health, 2 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Georgia 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 community in Georgia?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.