Missouri Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Missouri 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
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation
Missouri 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 Missouri, contact Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation at 1-800-392-0210 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at (800) 309-3282.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Missouri assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Missouri, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Facilities under Chapter 198 and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Missouri
Assisted living facilities in Missouri are licensed and investigated by the Department of Health and Senior Services through its Section for Long-Term Care Regulation (SLCR). Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare or Medicaid through the federal government, the state is the primary authority responsible for licensing these facilities and investigating complaints about the care and conditions in them. The SLCR issues licenses, conducts inspections, and investigates complaints for assisted living facilities and residential care facilities across the state.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Missouri
You can report concerns about a Missouri assisted living facility to the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation by calling the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210, available 365 days a year from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., or by submitting the online report, which is available at any time. You may file your complaint anonymously, but providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up. 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 Missouri
In Missouri, memory care is delivered within a licensed assisted living facility that serves residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. These facilities must meet additional requirements, including dementia-specific orientation and training for direct-care staff and physical design and exit features intended to keep residents safe. Whether or not a community markets itself as memory care, it is still licensed as an assisted living facility, and you file a complaint about it the same way — through the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation.
MissouriAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Missouri Licenses Assisted Living
Missouri licenses assisted living facilities (ALFs) through the Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation. A separate, lower level of care is licensed as a Residential Care Facility (RCF). Assisted living facilities that serve residents with dementia must meet additional requirements for staff training and the physical design of the building.
Statute of Limitations
2 to 5 years
In Missouri, the statute of limitations depends on how the claim is classified. General negligence and personal injury claims have a 5-year deadline, while medical malpractice and health care negligence claims 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 situation, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Resident Bill of Rights
Rights of Residents (Long-Term Care Facilities, including 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 Section for Long-Term Care Regulation reviews the allegations and assigns a priority based on the level of 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
On-site inspections and complaint investigations of assisted living facilities are conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe the facility's actual conditions and care, without advance notice that would allow the facility to prepare.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation can follow up with you for additional details and notify you of the outcome of the investigation. Anonymous complainants cannot be contacted or notified of the results.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are found, the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation issues a statement of deficiencies and requires the facility to submit a plan of correction. For serious or repeated violations, the department can impose fines and other sanctions and can suspend or revoke the facility's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Missouri. The Section for Long-Term Care Regulation 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 — Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation: moapss.health.mo.gov
- Resident rights — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 198.088: revisor.mo.gov
- Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman: health.mo.gov
- Mailing address — Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Missouri?expand_more
What is the assisted living complaint phone number in Missouri, and how fast is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and assisted living in Missouri?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.