South Carolina Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a South Carolina community residential care facility (CRCF). 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
South Carolina Department of Public Health, Healthcare Quality (Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing)
South Carolina 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 South Carolina, contact South Carolina Department of Public Health, Healthcare Quality (Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing) at 1-800-922-6735 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 1-800-868-9095.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a South Carolina assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In South Carolina, assisted living facilities are licensed as Community Residential Care Facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Public Health licenses and investigates Community Residential Care Facilities under Regulation 61-84. 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 South Carolina
You can file a complaint with the Department of Public Health by calling 1-800-922-6735, or by using the online health care complaint portal on the Department of Public Health 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 South Carolina
In South Carolina, memory care is delivered within Community Residential Care Facilities that operate secured dementia-care units. These facilities must meet additional requirements for staff training, secured-environment safety, and 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 Department of Public Health process described above.
South CarolinaAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How South Carolina Licenses Assisted Living
South Carolina licenses assisted living facilities as Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) under the Department of Public Health, regulated by Regulation 61-84. Memory care is provided within CRCFs that operate secured dementia-care units and meet additional staff training and disclosure requirements.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years. Claims may fall under either personal injury or medical malpractice statutes, depending on the specific circumstances. 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 and Assurances (Standards for Licensing Community Residential Care Facilities)
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
The Department of Public Health prioritizes complaints by the level of risk to residents. Allegations involving immediate danger to health or safety are investigated most urgently, while lower-risk concerns are scheduled based on the facility's compliance history and the nature of the allegations.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and inspections of community residential care facilities are generally conducted unannounced, and may include on-site review and interviews with staff and residents, so that surveyors 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 Public Health can require a plan of correction, issue deficiency citations, assess monetary penalties, and suspend, restrict, or revoke a facility's license. The Department can take emergency action to suspend a license when residents are in immediate danger, and serious cases may be referred to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in South Carolina. The Department of Public Health 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 — South Carolina Department of Public Health, Healthcare Quality (Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing): apps.dph.sc.gov
- Resident rights — S.C. Code Regs. 61-84, § 1000: law.cornell.edu
- South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman: aging.sc.gov
- Mailing address — South Carolina Department of Public Health, Healthcare Quality (Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing): Healthcare Quality, South Carolina Department of Public Health, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in South Carolina?expand_more
What number do I call to report an assisted living facility in South Carolina, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in South Carolina?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.