How do I file a complaint against a Memphis nursing home or assisted living facility?
Call the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission's Complaint Intake Unit toll-free at 1-877-287-0010 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), use HFC's online Public Records and Complaints portal, or mail a complaint form to HFC at 502 Deaderick Street, 9th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243.
Intake staff assign each complaint a priority by severity and send it to a regional office for investigation, and the commission sends a letter acknowledging the complaint. HFC's old e-mail complaint mailbox was disabled in August 2025, so use the portal, phone or mail. Every ACLF must post the complaint line at its main entrance, and facilities may not retaliate against anyone who complains in good faith to the commission, Adult Protective Services or the Comptroller (0720-26-.06(1)(f)).
How do I report elder abuse in Memphis?
Call Tennessee Adult Protective Services at 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366), which takes reports 24 hours a day, or use the Department of Human Services online portal; call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.
APS investigates abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, at home or in a facility. Reports can be anonymous. Tennessee ACLFs must post a sign at the main entrance telling residents how to reach APS and the local district attorney's office, and must give the same information to every resident in writing at admission (0720-26-.06(4)(a)).
What does the long-term care ombudsman do in Memphis?
The Memphis Delta District long-term care ombudsman, run by the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) at 910 Vance Avenue (901-529-4565), advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted care living facilities, homes for the aged and adult care homes in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Lauderdale counties.
Ombudsmen do not regulate facilities. They listen to residents, work to resolve complaints about care, rights, admissions, transfers and discharges, help people choose a provider and explain benefits, and keep matters confidential unless the resident consents. The service is free. The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached toll-free at 877-236-0013.
What rights do residents of Tennessee assisted living have?
Tennessee ACLF residents must receive a copy of their rights at admission, a written statement of fees and services, 30 days' notice of any fee change, written disclosure of the facility's liability insurance, and protection from abuse, retaliation and discrimination (0720-26-.08(6) and .14).
No one associated with the licensee may act as a resident's court-appointed guardian, trustee or conservator, except as the rules allow (0720-26-.06(1)(e)), and residents must have access to a telephone 24 hours a day for personal calls. If a facility wants a resident to leave, ask for the reason in writing and which rule it relies on, and call the ombudsman before agreeing to a move date.
At a glance
| Call this agency for | Not this | |
|---|---|---|
| HFC, 1-877-287-0010 | Licensing violations, poor care, unlicensed operations | Emergencies in progress |
| APS, 1-888-277-8366 | Abuse, neglect, exploitation of a vulnerable adult | Billing disputes |
| Ombudsman (MIFA), 901-529-4565 | Advocacy, discharge disputes, residents' rights | Inspections or penalties |
| 911 | Immediate danger | Routine complaints |
Sources include Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. chapters 0720-26, 0720-21 and 0720-18, Health Facilities Commission and TennCare pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
