Pennsylvania Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Pennsylvania assisted living residence or personal care 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
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, contact Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing at 1-877-401-8835 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 717-783-8975.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Pennsylvania assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Pennsylvania, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Residences or Personal Care Homes and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing licenses and investigates both Assisted Living Residences and Personal Care Homes. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state — not the federal government — is the primary authority that sets the rules, inspects facilities, and investigates complaints.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in Pennsylvania
You can file a complaint with the Bureau of Human Services Licensing by calling 1-877-401-8835, by emailing ra-pwarlcomplaints@pa.gov, or by using the online complaint form on the Department of Human Services website. Complaints may be made orally or in writing, and you may file anonymously. To help investigators, provide as much detail as possible — the facility name and address, the names of residents and staff involved, and the dates and times of the incidents you are reporting.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, memory care is delivered within Assisted Living Residences and Personal Care Homes that operate secured dementia-care units. These facilities must meet additional requirements for staff training, secured-environment safety, and written disclosure of the special care services they provide. If you have concerns about a memory care or dementia unit, you file a complaint through the same Bureau of Human Services Licensing process described above.
PennsylvaniaAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Pennsylvania Licenses Assisted Living
Pennsylvania licenses assisted living facilities in two categories: Assisted Living Residences and Personal Care Homes, both regulated by the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing. Memory care is provided within these residences under additional secured-unit, staffing, and disclosure requirements.
Statute of Limitations
2 years
In Pennsylvania, 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. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death. 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.
Complaint 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
The Bureau of Human Services Licensing prioritizes complaints by the level of health and safety risk to residents. Timeframes are assessed based on the allegations, the facility's licensing history, and its record of regulatory compliance. Allegations involving immediate danger are investigated most urgently.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and inspections of assisted living residences and personal care homes are generally conducted unannounced so that licensing staff can observe conditions as they normally exist.
Complainant Notification
If you provide contact information, investigators may follow up for additional details and can notify you of the outcome once the investigation is complete. Anonymous complainants will not receive direct notification.
Enforcement Actions
If violations are found, the Department of Human Services can issue licensing citations and a plan of correction, assess administrative penalties, place a license on provisional status, or revoke or refuse to renew a facility's license. Serious cases may be referred to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Pennsylvania. The Bureau of Human Services Licensing 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 — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing: pa.gov
- Resident rights — 55 Pa. Code § 2800.42: law.cornell.edu
- Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman: pa.gov
- Mailing address — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing: Bureau of Human Services Licensing, PA Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 8025, Harrisburg, PA 17105
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Pennsylvania?expand_more
What number do I call to report an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania?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.