Mississippi Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Mississippi 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
Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification
Mississippi 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 Mississippi, contact Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification at 1-800-227-7308 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Mississippi Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-888-844-0041.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Mississippi assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Mississippi, assisted living facilities are licensed as Personal Care Homes - Assisted Living and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Mississippi
Assisted living facilities in Mississippi are licensed as Personal Care Homes - Assisted Living and are investigated by the Mississippi State Department of Health through its Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare or Medicaid through the federal government, the state is the primary authority responsible for licensing these homes and investigating complaints about the care and conditions in them.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Mississippi
You can report concerns about a Mississippi Personal Care Home - Assisted Living to the State Department of Health by submitting the online health facility complaint form or by calling the Health Facility Complaint Hotline at 1-800-227-7308, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can email supporting documentation to HFLC-Complaints@msdh.ms.gov after filing. You may choose to remain completely anonymous, though doing so means the department cannot contact you for more details. 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.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Mississippi
In Mississippi, memory care is provided within a licensed Personal Care Home - Assisted Living. A home that serves residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia must meet the state's minimum standards for personal care homes, including requirements for resident safety and supervision. Whether or not a community markets itself as memory care, it is still licensed as a personal care home, and you file a complaint about it the same way — through the Mississippi State Department of Health.
MississippiAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Mississippi Licenses Assisted Living
Mississippi licenses assisted living facilities as Personal Care Homes - Assisted Living through the Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification. This category is distinct from Personal Care Homes - Residential Living, which provide a lower level of care. Memory care is provided within these licensed personal care homes.
Statute of Limitations
2 to 3 years
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations depends on the type of claim. General negligence claims have a 3-year deadline, while medical malpractice claims — which can apply to assisted living facilities depending on how the claim is classified — must be filed within 2 years. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to determine which deadline applies to your case.
Resident Bill of Rights
Residents' Rights (Minimum Standards for Personal Care Homes - Assisted Living)
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 Mississippi State Department of Health reviews the allegations and schedules an investigation based on the seriousness of the information provided. Complaints alleging an immediate risk to a resident's health or safety are prioritized for the fastest response. The department generally responds to the complaint hotline within three to five business days.
Unannounced Inspections
On-site surveys and complaint investigations of personal care homes are conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe the facility's actual conditions and care, without advance notice that would allow the home to prepare.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the department can follow up with you for additional details and notify you of the results of the investigation. If you choose to remain completely anonymous, the department cannot contact you for more information or notify you of the outcome.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are found, the department issues a statement of deficiencies and requires the facility to submit a plan of correction. For serious or repeated violations, the department can impose monetary penalties and other sanctions and can suspend or revoke the facility's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health 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 — Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification: msdh.ms.gov
- Resident rights — 15 Miss. Code R. 16-1-47.11.11: law.cornell.edu
- Mississippi Long-Term Care Ombudsman: mdhs.ms.gov
- Mailing address — Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification: Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Mississippi?expand_more
What is the assisted living complaint phone number in Mississippi, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living in Mississippi?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.