Adult Protective Services in Utah

Utah Adult Protective Services (APS), administered by the Division of Aging and Adult Services within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elder adults age 65 and older and dependent adults age 18 to 64 with qualifying impairments. Utah has universal mandatory reporting — every Utah resident is legally required to report suspected abuse. To report, call 1-800-371-7897 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM), email APSIntake@utah.gov, or fax 1-801-715-3428. For after-hours emergencies, call 911.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Utah

Utah provides three reporting channels: phone, email, and fax. Phone reporting is available during business hours; email and fax are available 24/7 for non-emergency reports. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately.

Report by Phone

Call 1-800-371-7897 to reach Utah APS intake, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A trained intake specialist will collect information about the person you are concerned about and the circumstances of the suspected abuse. Reports may be made anonymously, and callers acting in good faith are protected from civil and criminal liability under Utah Code § 26B-6-205(7)(a).

Report Online

Utah APS does not offer a dedicated online reporting portal. For non-emergency reports outside of business hours, you may email APSIntake@utah.gov or fax 1-801-715-3428. The email and fax are monitored during business hours, and reports submitted after hours are reviewed the next business day. For the DAAS website and additional contact information, visit daas.utah.gov/adult-protective-services/.

Emergency Situations

If an elder or dependent adult is in immediate danger — facing physical violence, a medical emergency, or another life-threatening situation — call 911 first. Under Utah Admin. Rule 510-302, emergency APS cases involving imminent harm must be initiated within 1 hour of the report and include coordination with local law enforcement. Do not wait until business hours to report an emergency.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following information available when contacting Utah APS will help the intake specialist respond quickly and appropriately:

• Full name, age, and current address of the vulnerable adult
• A description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation — specific incidents, dates, and locations
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser (if known)
• Information about the person's physical or mental health conditions, impairments, or limitations
• Names of other witnesses, family members, or care providers with relevant information
• Your own contact information (optional — reports may be anonymous)

Utah Code § 26B-6-204 requires all persons to report when they have reason to believe abuse, neglect, or exploitation has occurred. Reasonable belief is sufficient — proof is not required.

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Utah

Under Utah Code Title 26B, Chapter 6, Part 2 (§ 26B-6-201 et seq.), Utah APS investigates the following categories of abuse and neglect affecting vulnerable adults:

• Physical abuse — Intentional infliction of physical pain, injury, or bodily harm
• Emotional or psychological abuse — Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or conduct causing mental anguish
• Sexual abuse — Non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation
• Financial exploitation — Misappropriation or improper use of a vulnerable adult's money, property, or resources
• Neglect — Failure by a caregiver or caretaker to provide essential food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
• Caretaker neglect — Specific failure of a designated caretaker to meet an adult's essential needs
• Abandonment — Desertion by a person who has assumed responsibility for providing care
• Self-neglect — Failure of a vulnerable adult to provide for their own essential needs when they are unable to do so

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Abuse and neglect are frequently hidden. The following warning signs may indicate that a vulnerable adult is being mistreated.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries — especially at different stages of healing
• Evidence of improper restraint — marks on the wrists, ankles, or other areas
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers suggesting prolonged immobility or inadequate care
• Weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition without a medical explanation

Behavioral Signs

• Withdrawal from activities, friends, or family members
• Fearfulness, agitation, or anxiety around a specific caregiver
• Sudden depression, confusion, or behavioral changes inconsistent with the person's medical baseline
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver or family member is nearby

Financial Signs

• Unexplained bank withdrawals, new credit accounts, or changes to account access
• Missing personal property, jewelry, or valuables
• Unpaid bills or utility shutoffs despite having adequate financial resources
• Sudden changes to a will, trust, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Utah

Utah has universal mandatory reporting. Under Utah Code § 26B-6-204(1), every person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited is legally required to report to APS. This obligation applies to all Utah residents, not just health care professionals.

Limited exceptions apply for clergy who receive disclosures as part of a religious confession, and for attorneys under attorney-client privilege. Persons covered by these exceptions are still encouraged to report through other means when possible.

Mandatory reporters who willfully fail to report face a Class B misdemeanor under Utah Code § 26B-6-204. Additional civil liability applies for covered providers and contractors. Good-faith reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability under Utah Code § 26B-6-205(7)(a).

What Happens After You Report to APS in Utah

Utah APS follows a structured response process based on the level of risk identified in the report.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

APS intake staff review the report to determine whether the person meets the definition of a vulnerable adult under Utah Code § 26B-6-202 and whether the reported conduct falls within APS's investigative jurisdiction. The case is assigned a response category based on urgency.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Utah Admin. Rule 510-302 establishes two response categories:

• Emergency (imminent harm or danger): APS initiates a response within 1 hour and coordinates with law enforcement
• Non-emergency (abuse, neglect, or exploitation without imminent danger): APS initiates contact within 3 working days

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker makes in-person contact with the vulnerable adult to assess their safety, living conditions, health, and capacity. The caseworker may interview family members, caregivers, neighbors, and medical providers. Financial exploitation cases may involve coordination with the county attorney's office or law enforcement. The caseworker evaluates the adult's decision-making capacity throughout the process.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

When the investigation substantiates abuse or identifies an at-risk vulnerable adult, APS develops a service plan in collaboration with the adult. Services may include emergency shelter, in-home care, medical and mental health referrals, financial management assistance, and legal referrals. Adults with decision-making capacity retain the right to refuse services. For adults lacking capacity and facing serious risk, APS may pursue court-ordered protective action under Utah law.

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

Utah APS investigates abuse in community settings — private homes and non-licensed residential environments. For complaints about abuse, neglect, or poor care inside a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or other licensed long-term care setting, contact the Utah Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-801-538-3910 or visit daas.utah.gov/long-term-care-ombudsman/.

The Ombudsman is an independent advocate who investigates complaints on behalf of licensed facility residents. Complaints about facility licensing and regulatory compliance can be filed with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. For a complete guide to the nursing home complaint process in Utah.

Additional Resources in Utah

• Utah APS Phone: 1-800-371-7897 (M-F, 8 AM-5 PM)
• Utah APS Email: APSIntake@utah.gov
• Utah APS Fax: 1-801-715-3428
• Utah Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-801-538-3910
• Division of Aging and Adult Services
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator (national): 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse

For concerns involving a licensed nursing home or care facility in Utah, the Utah Nursing Home Complaint Guide provides full guidance on filing a complaint, Ombudsman contact information, and the state regulatory agency's role.