Maine Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Maine 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
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification
Maine 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 Maine, contact Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification at 1-800-383-2441 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-800-499-0229.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Maine assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Maine, assisted living facilities are licensed as assisted housing programs and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Maine
Assisted living in Maine is licensed and inspected by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification, which also investigates complaints. Because assisted living is not federally certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state is the primary authority responsible for setting standards, investigating complaints, and taking enforcement action against assisted housing programs.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Maine
You can report concerns to the Division of Licensing and Certification by calling 1-800-383-2441 (or 207-287-9308), or by completing the online complaint form on the DHHS website. You may also mail a written complaint to the Complaint Intake unit. Complaints may be made orally or in writing, and you may file anonymously. To help investigators, provide as much detail as possible — the facility name and address, the names of residents and staff involved, and the dates, times, and a clear description of what happened.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Maine
In Maine, memory care is delivered within assisted housing programs that operate a designated Alzheimer's/dementia care unit. A facility must receive written designation from the Department before holding a unit out as memory care, and staff must complete dementia-specific orientation and training covering communication, activity-focused care, and managing difficult behaviors. Memory care complaints follow the same process — call 1-800-383-2441 or use the online complaint form.
MaineAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Maine Licenses Assisted Living
Maine licenses assisted living as Assisted Living Programs and Residential Care Facilities under the umbrella of Assisted Housing Programs, overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification. Memory care is provided within facilities that operate a designated Alzheimer's/dementia care unit and meet additional dementia training and design standards.
Statute of Limitations
3 to 6 years
In Maine, the statute of limitations depends on how the claim is classified. General personal injury claims have a 6-year deadline, while medical malpractice claims must be filed within 3 years. Assisted living negligence may fall under either category depending on the circumstances. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand which deadline applies to your case.
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 Division of Licensing and Certification triages complaints by severity, and allegations of immediate jeopardy or serious harm are investigated most quickly. After intake, the division reviews the allegation and conducts an on-site investigation of the assisted housing program, reviewing records and interviewing residents, staff, and witnesses.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and licensing surveys of assisted housing programs are generally conducted on an unannounced basis so that investigators can observe day-to-day conditions and care.
Complainant Notification
If you provide contact information, the division acknowledges your complaint and, when the investigation is complete, notifies you of the outcome to the extent allowed by confidentiality law.
Enforcement Actions
If violations are confirmed, the Division of Licensing and Certification can cite deficiencies and require a plan of correction, impose fines, issue a conditional license, and in serious cases suspend or revoke the facility's license. Allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may also be referred to Adult Protective Services and law enforcement.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Maine. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification 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 — Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification: maine.gov
- Resident rights — 10-144 C.M.R. ch. 113, § III-5: law.cornell.edu
- Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman: maineombudsman.org
- Mailing address — Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification: Division of Licensing and Certification, Attn: Complaint Intake, 41 Anthony Avenue, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Maine assisted living complaint anonymously?expand_more
What is the phone number to report an assisted living facility in Maine, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in Maine?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.