New Jersey Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a New Jersey assisted living residence. 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
New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations
New Jersey 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 New Jersey, contact New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations at 1-800-792-9770 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-877-582-6995.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a New Jersey assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In New Jersey, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Residences and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in New Jersey
Assisted living residences in New Jersey are licensed and investigated by the Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state — not the federal government — is the primary authority responsible for setting standards, conducting surveys, and acting on complaints.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in New Jersey
You can report concerns to the Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or by submitting a complaint through the Department's website at nj.gov/health/healthfacilities. Complaints can be made in writing or by phone, and you may file anonymously. Provide as much detail as possible — the facility name and location, the names of residents and staff involved, and specific dates, times, and descriptions of what happened — so investigators can act effectively.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in New Jersey
New Jersey does not issue a separate memory care license. Memory and dementia care are provided within assisted living residences and comprehensive personal care homes, which must meet additional disclosure, staffing, and training requirements when they serve residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. Complaints about a memory care setting follow the same process — you report them to the Department of Health Complaint Hotline or through the online route above.
New JerseyAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How New Jersey Licenses Assisted Living
New Jersey licenses assisted living as Assisted Living Residences, along with the related categories of Comprehensive Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Programs, under the Department of Health, governed by N.J.A.C. 8:36. Memory and dementia care are provided within these residences, which must meet additional disclosure, staffing, and training requirements for residents with cognitive impairment.
Statute of Limitations
2 years
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 2 years. Claims may fall under either personal injury or medical malpractice statutes, depending on the specific circumstances. A discovery rule may apply, meaning the clock may not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been 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.
Resident Bill of Rights
Rights of residents of assisted living facilities, comprehensive personal care homes
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 the Department of Health receives a complaint, it is prioritized by the severity of the allegations. Complaints alleging immediate jeopardy to a resident's health or safety are investigated on an expedited basis, while lower-priority complaints are scheduled for review within a longer window.
Unannounced Inspections
On-site complaint investigations and licensing surveys of assisted living residences are generally unannounced, so surveyors can observe actual day-to-day conditions and care without advance notice to the facility.
Complainant Notification
If you provide contact information, the Department will generally notify you of the outcome of the investigation, including whether the allegations were substantiated, once the review is complete.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are confirmed, the Department can require a plan of correction, impose conditions or curtailment on the license, levy civil monetary penalties, and in serious cases suspend or revoke the residence's license.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in New Jersey. The Department of Health Complaint Hotline 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 — New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations: nj.gov
- Resident rights — N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-128: law.justia.com
- New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman: nj.gov
- Mailing address — New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations: New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Health Facility Survey and Field Operations, P.O. Box 367, Trenton, NJ 08625-0367
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in New Jersey?expand_more
How do I report a problem and how quickly is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in New Jersey?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.