New York Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a New York assisted living residence or adult home. 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 York State Department of Health, Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program
New York 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 York, contact New York State Department of Health, Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program at 1-866-893-6772 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the New York Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-855-582-6769.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a New York assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In New York, assisted living facilities are licensed as Adult Care Facilities (including Adult Homes and Enriched Housing Programs) and certified as Assisted Living Residences, and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in New York
The New York State Department of Health licenses and inspects adult care facilities and assisted living residences and investigates complaints about them through its Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program. 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 oversight and enforcement at these facilities.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in New York
You can report concerns by calling the Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program at 1-866-893-6772, which accepts complaints about adult homes and assisted living facilities. You may file orally or in writing, and you may remain anonymous. To help investigators, provide as much detail as you can — the facility name, the resident's name, specific dates and times, the names of staff involved, and a clear description of what happened. You can also contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-855-582-6769 for advocacy support.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in New York
In New York, memory care for residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is provided in facilities that hold a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) certification, which requires additional staff training, disclosure of the facility's specialized dementia-care services, and enhanced safety standards. Concerns about a memory care or dementia unit are handled through the same complaint process — call the Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program at 1-866-893-6772 to report abuse, neglect, elopement, or other unsafe conditions.
New YorkAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How New York Licenses Assisted Living
New York licenses assisted living facilities as Adult Care Facilities — including Adult Homes and Enriched Housing Programs — under the New York State Department of Health. A facility marketed as assisted living must also be certified as an Assisted Living Residence (ALR). Memory care is provided through an additional Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) certification for residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Statute of Limitations
2.5 to 3 years
In New York, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years for personal injury. If the claim is classified as medical malpractice, the deadline is 2 years and 6 months. The applicable deadline depends on the specific facts of the case. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand which deadline applies to your situation.
Resident Bill of Rights
Resident protections (Adult Care Facility / Adult Home Standards)
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 Department of Health reviews and prioritizes it based on the severity of the allegation. Complaints alleging immediate jeopardy to a resident's health or safety are investigated on an expedited basis, while other complaints are scheduled according to risk. Investigators may review records, interview residents and staff, and conduct an on-site inspection.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and routine inspections of adult care facilities and assisted living residences are generally conducted unannounced so that surveyors can observe normal conditions and care as residents actually experience them.
Complainant Notification
If you provide your contact information, the Department of Health will generally notify you of the outcome of the investigation, including whether the allegations were substantiated and what action, if any, was taken.
Enforcement Actions
When violations are found, the Department of Health may require a plan of correction and can impose enforcement actions including civil penalties (fines), denial of admissions, and suspension, limitation, or revocation of the facility's operating certificate. Cases involving abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation may also be referred to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in New York. The New York State Department of Health's Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program 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 York State Department of Health, Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program: health.ny.gov
- Resident rights — 18 NYCRR 487.5: law.cornell.edu
- New York Long-Term Care Ombudsman: aging.ny.gov
- Mailing address — New York State Department of Health, Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program: New York State Department of Health, Division of Adult Care Facilities and Assisted Living Surveillance, Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower, Albany, NY 12237
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in New York?expand_more
What number do I call, and how quickly is a complaint investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in New York?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.