Michigan Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Michigan 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
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems
Michigan 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 Michigan, contact Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems at 1-866-856-0126 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 866-485-9393.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Michigan assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Michigan, assisted living facilities are licensed as Homes for the Aged or Adult Foster Care facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Michigan
Michigan does not license a single category called "assisted living." Instead, communities that market themselves as assisted living are licensed either as Homes for the Aged or as Adult Foster Care facilities by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems. Because these facilities are not certified by Medicare or Medicaid through the federal government, the state is the primary authority responsible for licensing them and investigating complaints about the care and conditions in them.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Michigan
You can report concerns about a Michigan Home for the Aged or Adult Foster Care facility to the Bureau of Community and Health Systems by submitting the online complaint form or by calling 1-866-856-0126. You may file your complaint anonymously and are not required to give your name; if you do, your name is kept confidential and will not be released unless ordered by a court. Give as much detail as possible — the names of the residents and staff involved, the dates and times of the events, and a clear description of what you observed — so investigators can act on your report.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Michigan
In Michigan, memory care is not a separate license category. Many Homes for the Aged and Adult Foster Care facilities operate secured units for residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, with staff trained specifically in dementia care. Whether or not a community calls itself memory care, it is still licensed as a Home for the Aged or Adult Foster Care facility, and you file a complaint about it the same way — through the Bureau of Community and Health Systems.
MichiganAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Michigan Licenses Assisted Living
Michigan does not license a single category called "assisted living." Most assisted living communities are licensed either as Homes for the Aged or as Adult Foster Care facilities, both regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems. Memory care is not a separate license category — facilities provide it within secured units staffed and trained to serve residents with dementia.
Statute of Limitations
2 to 3 years
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for assisted living claims depends on how the claim is classified. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within 2 years, while general negligence claims have a 3-year deadline. A discovery rule may apply in both cases. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to determine which deadline applies to your situation.
Resident Bill of Rights
Resident Rights; Licensee Responsibilities (Adult Foster Care)
View Full StatuteComplaint 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 Bureau of Community and Health Systems reviews the allegations and assigns a priority based on the risk to residents. Complaints alleging immediate danger to a resident's health or safety are investigated most quickly, while other complaints are scheduled according to their assigned priority.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations typically include an unannounced on-site visit so investigators can observe the facility's actual conditions and care without advance notice that would let the home prepare.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the bureau can follow up for additional details and send a written notice outlining the findings of the investigation once it is complete. Your name is kept confidential and is not released unless ordered by a court.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are found, the facility is generally required to correct the deficiencies and return to compliance. For serious or repeated violations, the bureau can issue special investigation reports, deny or refuse to renew a license, and suspend or revoke the facility's license, and it can recommend that a facility be closed when residents are in danger.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Michigan. The Bureau of Community and Health Systems 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 — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems: michigan.gov
- Resident rights — Mich. Admin. Code R 400.1409: law.cornell.edu
- Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman: mltcop.org
- Mailing address — Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems: LARA — Bureau of Community and Health Systems, P.O. Box 30664, Lansing, MI 48909
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Michigan?expand_more
What is the assisted living complaint phone number in Michigan, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living in Michigan?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.