Ohio Assisted Living Complaint Resources

If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in an Ohio assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Ohio, assisted living facilities are licensed as Residential Care Facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.

Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Health, through its Bureau of Survey and Certification, licenses and inspects residential care facilities and investigates complaints about them. 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 Ohio

You can report concerns by calling the Ohio Department of Health Complaint Unit at 1-800-342-0553, by submitting the online complaint form (HEA 1685), or by emailing HCComplaints@odh.ohio.gov. 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.

Memory Care and Dementia Care in Ohio

In Ohio, memory care for residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is provided within residential care facilities, often in secured or specialized units. Facilities that market specialized dementia care are expected to disclose how their staffing, training, and security differ for memory-care residents and to maintain a safe environment for residents who may wander. Concerns about a memory care unit are handled through the same complaint process — call the Ohio Department of Health Complaint Unit at 1-800-342-0553 to report abuse, neglect, elopement, or other unsafe conditions.