Assisted living in Rhode Island: how it is licensed.
Who licenses assisted living in Rhode Island, and what to check before you choose.
What Rhode Island calls it
In Rhode Island, assisted living is licensed under the term “Assisted Living Residence”. Other states use different names, so it helps to know the exact term when you search.
Who licenses and inspects
Rhode Island Department of Health, Center for Health Facilities Regulation is the agency that licenses these communities. It is the official place to check a community’s license and inspection history.
Memory care
Rhode Island licenses Special Care Units (Alzheimer's/dementia) within assisted living residences.
Paying for care
Medicare generally does not cover long term custodial care.
Rhode Island's Medicaid home and community-based services, authorized under its Section 1115 waiver, include assisted living services for participants in qualifying settings; Medicaid does not pay room and board. Eligibility rules apply.
Checking a community
A Rhode Island Department of Health page linking to inspection and complaint investigation reports that are posted for hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Help and complaints
Rhode Island Long-Term Care Ombudsman (Office of Healthy Aging) supports residents of long term care and their families.
Also worth knowing in Rhode Island
Under a law effective January 30, 2025, Rhode Island assisted living residences may allow electronic monitoring devices in residents' rooms with written consent from the resident or representative and from any roommate or representative.
Sources we checked (October 2026)
Licensing rules change. We checked the pages below. Confirm with the state agency.
Questions
Who regulates assisted living in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Department of Health, Center for Health Facilities Regulation.