What laws govern senior care facilities in Memphis?
Tennessee state law governs them: the Health Facilities and Resources Act (T.C.A. 68-11-201 and following) and the Health Facilities Commission's rule chapters 0720-26 for assisted-care living facilities, 0720-21 for homes for the aged and 0720-18 for nursing homes, with federal CMS rules layered on certified nursing homes.
Last verified: October 2026The Health Facilities Commission licenses, inspects and disciplines all of those settings. The City of Memphis, Shelby County and suburban cities do not license care settings, though zoning and fire codes apply to the buildings.
How is Tennessee's approach different from other states?
Tennessee uses one assisted living license (the ACLF) rather than tiers, reports memory care as secured beds inside that license, lets residents who meet nursing-home level of care stay in assisted living with physician certification, and pays for assisted living services (not room and board) through TennCare CHOICES.
On HFC's October 2026 reports for Shelby, Fayette and Tipton counties that works out to 35 licensed ACLFs, 24 of them with secured units, and 4 small homes for the aged.
Where do Memphis families report problems?
Licensing complaints go to the Health Facilities Commission's Complaint Intake Unit at 1-877-287-0010; suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation goes to Adult Protective Services at 1-888-277-8366, 24 hours a day; and facility residents can get free advocacy from the long-term care ombudsman at MIFA, 901-529-4565.
The guides below explain each step, with the rule behind it.
Tennessee Rules guides
How Tennessee licenses assisted living in Memphis
Tennessee licenses assisted living as Assisted-Care Living Facilities (ACLFs) through the Health Facilities Commission under rule 0720-26. Who qualifies, fees, administrator certification and inspections.
Read →How Tennessee regulates memory care units
Tennessee memory care happens in ACLF secured units under rule 0720-26-.08(9): admission evaluations, quarterly reviews, 24-hour awake staff and annual dementia training. How to check a Memphis unit.
Read →Who can live in a Tennessee assisted living facility
Tennessee ACLF admission rules (0720-26-.08): conditions that bar admission, residents who meet nursing facility level of care, tube feeding and IV limits, hospice, and evacuation.
Read →Medications and medical care in a Tennessee ACLF
Tennessee ACLF medication rules (0720-26-.07): self-administration vs. administration, medication aides, outside home health and hospice, and medication disposal policies.
Read →Homes for the aged in Tennessee
Tennessee's Home for the Aged license (rule 0720-21): who it serves, how it differs from an ACLF, fees, and how many are licensed in the Memphis area.
Read →How Tennessee nursing homes are inspected and disciplined
How the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission licenses and inspects Memphis nursing homes, how CMS ratings work, and where to find inspection reports and state penalties.
Read →How to check a Memphis facility's license and record
Step-by-step: verify a Tennessee ACLF, home for the aged or nursing home license in HFC's listings and bed reports, read enforcement actions, and check CMS Care Compare.
Read →Where Memphis families report problems
How to file a complaint with the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, report elder abuse to Adult Protective Services, and reach the Memphis Delta District long-term care ombudsman at MIFA.
Read →At a glance
| Tennessee's rules do | Tennessee's rules do not | |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | Require an HFC ACLF license and a certified administrator | Set a building-wide staff-to-resident ratio |
| Memory care | Require an awake attendant on every secured unit 24/7 | Create a separate memory care license |
| Inspections | Require unannounced ACLF inspections within 15 months | Publish ACLF inspection reports online in bulk |
| Payment | Let TennCare CHOICES pay ACLF services | Pay ACLF room and board |
