Tennessee Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a Tennessee assisted-care living facility (ACLF). 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
Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Division of Licensure and Regulation
Tennessee 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 Tennessee, contact Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Division of Licensure and Regulation at 1-877-287-0010 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 877-236-0013.
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a Tennessee assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In Tennessee, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted-Care Living Facilities and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Tennessee
The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, through its Division of Licensure and Regulation, licenses and investigates Assisted-Care Living Facilities under Chapter 0720-26. 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 Tennessee
You can file a complaint with the Health Facilities Commission by calling the statewide complaint hotline at 1-877-287-0010, or by using the Public Records and Complaints portal on the Commission's 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 Tennessee
In Tennessee, memory care is delivered within Assisted-Care Living 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 Health Facilities Commission process described above.
TennesseeAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How Tennessee Licenses Assisted Living
Tennessee licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted-Care Living Facilities (ACLFs) under the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, regulated by Chapter 0720-26. Memory care is provided within ACLFs that operate secured dementia-care units and meet additional staff training and disclosure requirements.
Statute of Limitations
1 year
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 1 year. 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
When the Health Facilities Commission's Complaint Intake Unit receives a complaint, staff review it and assign a priority code based on the severity of the alleged violation. The complaint is then forwarded to the appropriate regional office for investigation, with allegations involving immediate danger to residents handled most urgently.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and inspections of assisted-care living 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 Health Facilities Commission can require a plan of correction, issue deficiency citations, assess civil monetary penalties, and suspend, deny, or revoke 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 Tennessee. The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission 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 — Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Division of Licensure and Regulation: tn.gov
- Resident rights — Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0720-26-.14: publications.tnsosfiles.com
- Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman: tn.gov
- Mailing address — Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Division of Licensure and Regulation: Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Andrew Jackson State Building, 502 Deaderick Street, 9th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in Tennessee?expand_more
What number do I call to report an assisted living facility in Tennessee, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in Tennessee?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.