Adult Protective Services in California

California Adult Protective Services (APS), overseen by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), is delivered through county social services departments and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving elder adults (age 60 and older) and dependent adults (age 18 to 59 with qualifying disabilities). Under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Welfare & Institutions Code § 15600 et seq.), California has some of the strongest elder abuse protections in the country, including mandatory reporting requirements for a wide range of professionals. To report suspected abuse, call the statewide routing number 1-833-401-0832 and enter your zip code to be connected to your local county APS office.

How to Report Elder Abuse in California

California's Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (WIC § 15600 et seq.) establishes mandatory reporting requirements for a broad range of professionals known as mandated reporters. Non-mandated reporters may also file reports and may do so anonymously. All mandated reporter identities are disclosed to authorized agencies, but non-mandated reporters' identities are protected under WIC § 15633. Good-faith reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability under WIC § 15634.

Report by Phone

Call 1-833-401-0832 and enter your zip code to be connected to your local county APS office. California APS is delivered at the county level; there are 58 county APS programs across the state. All county APS offices are required to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When connected to your county, an intake worker will collect information about the elder or dependent adult, the nature of the suspected abuse, and any relevant details about the alleged perpetrator. You do not need proof to make a report — reasonable suspicion is sufficient.

Report Online

Online reporting availability varies by county in California. Some counties offer online intake forms; for example, Ventura County operates reporttoaps.org. Visit your county's social services department website or call 1-833-401-0832 to find online reporting options for your area. For any emergency, always use the phone or call 911.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 if an elder or dependent adult is in immediate physical danger. APS is not an emergency response agency. California law requires immediate notification of law enforcement when abuse involves a crime; in those cases, APS and law enforcement coordinate their response. After emergency services have responded, file a report with APS so that caseworkers can initiate an investigation and connect the person with protective services.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following details available will help county APS intake staff process your report efficiently. You do not need all of this information to make a report:

• Full name, age, and address of the elder or dependent adult
• Description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation and when it occurred
• Name and relationship of the alleged abuser, if known
• Information about the adult's physical or mental health conditions
• Names and contact information of witnesses or others with relevant knowledge
• Specific safety concerns such as lack of medication, food, supervision, or basic care
• Your own contact information (mandated reporters must identify themselves; others may report anonymously)

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in California

California APS is authorized to investigate the following types of mistreatment under WIC § 15610 et seq.:

• Physical abuse: Assault, battery, unreasonable physical constraint, prolonged or unauthorized deprivation of food or water
• Sexual abuse: Non-consensual sexual assault or battery
• Emotional/mental abuse: Behavior causing fear, humiliation, intimidation, confusion, or disorientation
• Neglect: Failure of a caregiver to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to a person they have responsibility for
• Self-neglect: Failure of an elder or dependent adult to provide for their own essential needs due to physical or mental inability
• Financial abuse/exploitation: Theft, fraud, undue influence, or misuse of an elder's or dependent adult's money, property, or assets
• Abandonment: Desertion of an elder or dependent adult by a person responsible for their care
• Isolation: Preventing access to family, friends, or professional services
• Abduction: Removal from California for purposes of obtaining control of the person's property

California APS coordinates with local law enforcement, the California Attorney General's Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, and the county district attorney on cases with criminal elements.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

The following warning signs may indicate that an elder or dependent adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited in California. Report what you observe — you do not need certainty to make a report.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, welts, or fractures — particularly in various stages of healing
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers suggesting prolonged inadequate care
• Sudden or unexplained weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
• Poor hygiene, soiled clothing, or an unsanitary living environment

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden fearfulness, withdrawal, or extreme submissiveness — particularly around a caregiver
• New or unexplained depression, anxiety, agitation, or confusion
• A caregiver who controls conversations, prevents private contact, or speaks dismissively on the adult's behalf

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or new authorized signatories
• Recent changes to wills, trusts, or powers of attorney that appear uncharacteristic
• Unpaid bills, utility shutoffs, or shortage of necessities despite apparent adequate resources
• A caregiver with unusual interest in the adult's finances, property, or estate

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in California

California's Elder Abuse Act (WIC § 15630(a)) establishes one of the broadest mandatory reporter lists in the nation. Mandated reporters include: care custodians (staff of hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, home health agencies, adult day programs, hospices, and other facilities); health practitioners (physicians, nurses, dentists, therapists, pharmacists, and other licensed or certified health professionals); clergy members; employees of financial institutions; APS and local law enforcement agency employees; and all staff of any facility or agency that provides care to elder or dependent adults.

Non-mandated reporters — any member of the public — may also file a report and may do so anonymously. Mandated reporters must identify themselves when reporting. Non-mandated reporter identities are kept confidential under WIC § 15633. All reporters acting in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability under WIC § 15634. Mandated reporters who fail to report face a misdemeanor penalty: up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. If the abuse results in death or great bodily injury, the penalty increases to up to 1 year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine (WIC § 15630(h)).

What Happens After You Report to APS in California

After a report is received, county APS follows a structured process to assess the situation and provide protective intervention.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

County APS intake staff assess whether the subject qualifies as an elder (age 60+) or dependent adult (age 18–64 with qualifying disability) under WIC § 15610 and whether the reported conduct falls within APS jurisdiction. Reports that meet criteria are accepted for investigation.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

California APS must investigate most reports within 10 days of receipt. When a report alleges a crime, law enforcement must be notified immediately. For mandated reporter reports involving certain types of physical abuse, an initial assessment may be required within 2 hours (WIC § 15630, § 15633.5). Emergency situations — where there is immediate danger to life or safety — receive priority response in coordination with local law enforcement.

Step 3 — Investigation

County APS workers visit the elder or dependent adult in person, typically at their home. The investigation may include private interviews with the adult, interviews with family members, caregivers, and witnesses, a review of the home environment, and when applicable, review of medical or financial records. California APS coordinates with law enforcement, the ombudsman, Public Guardian, and other agencies as appropriate.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If the investigation substantiates abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the APS worker develops a service plan with the adult. California county APS programs may provide emergency services, medical and mental health referrals, in-home support, financial management assistance, benefits enrollment, and legal services. Adults with decision-making capacity have the right to refuse services. If capacity is in question and safety is at risk, county APS may pursue conservatorship or emergency protective orders through the courts.

APS vs. Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse in California?

California APS investigates abuse and neglect of elders and dependent adults in community settings — private homes and non-institutional environments. California law also authorizes APS to investigate reports involving residents of certain licensed facilities, but abuse in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities is primarily handled by distinct oversight programs.

For complaints involving nursing home residents, contact the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-231-4024. The Ombudsman advocates for residents of licensed long-term care facilities and investigates complaints about care quality and resident rights. Regulatory complaints about a nursing facility's compliance with state and federal standards should be directed to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

For a comprehensive guide to nursing home complaints in California, see the California Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in California

• California APS Statewide Routing: 1-833-401-0832 (enter zip code; available 24/7)
• California Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-231-4024 | ltcombudsman.org
• California Department of Public Health (nursing home complaints): 1-800-554-0354
• California Attorney General Elder Abuse Unit: 916-210-6400
• California Department of Social Services APS
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116