Adult Protective Services in Nevada

Nevada Adult Protective Services (APS), operated by the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) within the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, investigates reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation, and abandonment affecting vulnerable persons and older adults living in the community. Nevada APS serves adults 18 and older with qualifying physical or mental impairments, as well as all adults aged 60 and older. To report suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult in Nevada, call (888) 729-0571 or (702) 486-6930 for Las Vegas/Clark County.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Nevada

Nevada APS accepts reports by phone during business hours, with after-hours emergency coverage provided through Crisis Support Services of Nevada. An online intake option is also available.

Report by Phone

Call (888) 729-0571 (statewide) or (702) 486-6930 (Las Vegas/Clark County) to reach Nevada APS during business hours, Monday through Friday. A trained intake worker will document your report and assign an appropriate priority level. Do not use email for reports — Nevada APS specifically states that email is not monitored in a timely manner for abuse reports.

For after-hours emergencies, call Crisis Support Services of Nevada at (775) 784-8090 or 1-888-273-8255. APS will provide a callback within 24 hours.

Report Online

Nevada APS provides an online intake form through the ADSD website. Online reports are reviewed during business hours. For urgent situations, calling the phone line provides a faster initial response. Do not submit urgent reports exclusively online.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult in Nevada is in immediate physical danger, call 911. After emergency services have been contacted, call the APS hotline or Crisis Support Services to initiate a formal investigation. Nevada APS is required to conduct a face-to-face visit within 24 hours for Priority 1 (emergency) reports.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Providing detailed information when you report helps APS assign the correct priority level and respond appropriately. Gather the following if possible:

• Full name, age, and address of the vulnerable person
• A description of the specific abuse, neglect, or exploitation you observed or suspect
• Name and relationship of the alleged abuser or neglectful caregiver
• Information about the person's physical or mental condition and known disabilities
• Names of witnesses or others with relevant knowledge
• Your contact information (reports may be made anonymously, but contact info helps with follow-up)
• Whether the person lives in a private home or a licensed facility

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Nevada

Under NRS 200.5091–200.50995, Nevada APS investigates the following types of maltreatment:

• Physical abuse — intentional physical injury or harm, including improper use of restraints or medications
• Emotional/psychological abuse — verbal threats, humiliation, intimidation, or deliberate psychological harm
• Sexual abuse — non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation
• Neglect — a caregiver's failure to provide basic necessities including food, shelter, clothing, and medical care
• Self-neglect — an adult's inability or refusal to provide for their own essential needs
• Financial exploitation — unauthorized use of funds, property, or assets; misuse of power of attorney
• Isolation — deliberate actions to prevent a vulnerable person from receiving mail, phone calls, or visitors
• Abandonment — desertion by a person with care responsibility for a vulnerable adult

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Many victims of elder abuse cannot report for themselves due to physical limitations, cognitive impairment, or fear. Identifying warning signs is essential for timely intervention.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones
• Bedsores, poor hygiene, or untreated medical conditions
• Rapid weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
• Signs of being physically restrained
• Injuries inconsistent with the explanation provided

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden fearfulness, anxiety, or withdrawal around a caregiver
• Reluctance to speak freely when not alone
• Confusion or disorientation beyond the person's baseline
• Reports of threats, isolation, or mistreatment
• Abrupt changes in behavior or personality

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals or wire transfers from bank accounts
• Sudden changes to estate planning documents
• Unpaid bills or utilities despite adequate financial resources
• Lack of food, medications, or basic necessities despite financial means
• A caregiver or family member who controls all financial access

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Nevada

Any person with reasonable cause to believe a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited in Nevada may report to APS.

Nevada designates specific professionals as mandated reporters under NRS 200.5093(4). Mandated reporters include medical professionals (physicians, nurses, dentists, and other health care providers), hospital and home health employees, social workers, coroners, law enforcement, DHHS employees, facility staff who care for vulnerable adults, and music therapists. Mandated reporters are required to report within 24 hours of forming a reasonable belief that abuse or neglect has occurred.

Mandated reporters who knowingly or willfully fail to report within 24 hours are guilty of a misdemeanor under NRS 200.5093(9). Good faith reporters — including mandated reporters — are immune from civil and criminal liability for reporting and participating in investigations under NRS 200.5096. Willful unauthorized disclosure of APS records is itself a misdemeanor under NRS 200.5095.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Nevada

Step 1 — Intake Screening

APS staff screen the report to determine whether the subject qualifies as a vulnerable person or older person under NRS 200.5092, whether the setting is within APS jurisdiction (community-based), and whether the reported conduct constitutes one of the covered types of maltreatment. Reports involving licensed facility residents are referred to the appropriate licensing agency.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Nevada APS uses a two-tier priority system. Priority 1 (emergency) reports — where the vulnerable person faces immediate danger — require a face-to-face contact within 24 hours. Priority 2 (non-emergency) reports require a face-to-face contact within 3 business days. This process is governed by NRS 200.5093.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker conducts a face-to-face home visit with the vulnerable person. The caseworker interviews the individual privately, assesses the living environment, and interviews caregivers, family members, neighbors, and other relevant parties. Medical records, financial documents, and prior reports may be reviewed. Criminal conduct is referred to law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If maltreatment is substantiated, APS develops a service plan to address the vulnerable adult's safety and ongoing needs. Services may include emergency placement, in-home assistance, medical and mental health referrals, financial management support, legal advocacy, and court-ordered protective services. Adults with capacity retain the right to refuse services. For those lacking capacity who face ongoing serious harm, APS may seek court-authorized intervention.

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

Nevada APS investigates abuse and neglect in community settings — primarily private homes and unlicensed care arrangements. Concerns about the quality of care or staff conduct in licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other licensed residential care settings are handled separately.

For concerns about residents of licensed long-term care facilities in Nevada, contact the Nevada Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-992-5715. The Ombudsman advocates for residents and investigates complaints about care quality and residents' rights. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health handles licensing inspections and regulatory complaints against nursing homes.

For a complete guide to filing a nursing home complaint in Nevada, see our Nevada Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Nevada

• Nevada APS (Statewide): (888) 729-0571 (business hours)
• Nevada APS (Las Vegas/Clark County): (702) 486-6930
• After-hours: Crisis Support Services of Nevada: (775) 784-8090 or 1-888-273-8255
• Nevada Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-992-5715
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Nevada APS reports are confidential. If you suspect a vulnerable adult in Nevada is being harmed, call (888) 729-0571 during business hours. For after-hours emergencies, call (775) 784-8090 or 1-888-273-8255.