How do I file a complaint against a Tennessee assisted living facility?
Call the Health Facilities Commission's Complaint Intake Unit at 1-877-287-0010 (weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), use its online Public Records and Complaints portal, or mail a complaint form to HFC in Nashville.
The commission prioritizes each complaint by severity and assigns it to a regional office.
Who do I call about elder abuse in Memphis?
Tennessee Adult Protective Services at 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366), available 24/7, or 911 in an emergency.
APS also handles financial exploitation and self-neglect.
Who is the long-term care ombudsman for Memphis?
The Memphis Delta District ombudsman program at the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), 910 Vance Avenue, 901-529-4565, serving Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Lauderdale counties.
The service is free and confidential.
Can a facility retaliate if we complain?
No. Tennessee's ACLF rule bars retaliation or discrimination against anyone who complains in good faith to the commission, Adult Protective Services or the Comptroller, or who cooperates with those authorities (0720-26-.06(1)(f)).
Document any change in treatment after a complaint and tell the ombudsman.
Can an assisted living facility make my parent leave?
A Tennessee ACLF must discharge a resident whose needs it cannot safely meet, and its admission agreement must describe how transfers and discharges are handled without violating residents' rights.
Ask for the reason in writing and contact the ombudsman before agreeing to a date.
Can facility staff become my parent's guardian?
No. Tennessee's ACLF rule bars anyone associated with the licensee or facility from serving as a resident's court-appointed guardian, trustee or conservator, except as the rules specifically allow.
For people with no one to act for them, the Aging Commission of the Mid-South manages the District Conservator and Public Guardianship Program.
What must a facility post at its entrance?
A Tennessee ACLF must post how to reach Adult Protective Services and the local district attorney, the domestic violence hotline, the HFC complaint line, and whether it carries liability insurance and with which carrier.
If those postings are missing, ask why.
Can an assisted living facility raise its rates without notice?
No. A Tennessee ACLF must give all residents 30 days' notice before changing its fee schedule, and must give each resident an accurate written statement of fees and services at admission.
Keep copies of every fee notice.
What must an ACLF tell us about insurance before admission?
Before admission or before the care contract is signed, a Tennessee ACLF must disclose in writing whether it carries liability insurance and who the primary carrier is, or, if self-insured, which corporate entity pays claims.
The same information must be posted at the main entrance.
