Discovering that an older family member may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation can leave you unsure where to turn. In Los Angeles County, Adult Protective Services (APS) is one of the primary agencies responsible for investigating suspected mistreatment of older and dependent adults living in the community.
Los Angeles Adult Protective Services operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, assessing safety concerns and connecting vulnerable adults with services and other agencies when necessary.
Understanding what APS Los Angeles County does—and what falls outside its authority—can help families decide how to respond when they are concerned about an older or dependent adult.
What Is Adult Protective Services?
Adult Protective Services is a county-based program required by California law. Every California county has an APS agency serving adults age 60 and older and dependent adults ages 18 through 59 with disabilities.
APS assists those who may be unable to meet their own needs or who are experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation in community settings, including private homes, apartments, hotels, and hospitals, as well as people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
In Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department administers APS. Its services are available regardless of income and are provided at no cost.
What Types of Abuse Does APS Investigate?
APS inestigations can involve many forms of elder and dependent adult abuse, including:
- Physical abuse: Hitting, striking, inappropriate restraint, or other conduct causing physical harm.
- Sexual abuse: Nonconsensual sexual contact or sexual activity involving someone unable to consent.
- Financial abuse: Improperly taking, using, or obtaining an older or dependent adult’s money or property.
- Neglect: A caregiver’s failure to provide necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, or personal care.
- Self-neglect: An individual’s inability to adequately provide for their own health, safety, or basic needs.
- Abandonment: Deserting an elder or dependent adult when the person responsible for their care should continue providing it.
- Abduction: Improperly removing an elder or dependent adult from California or preventing the person’s return.
- Isolation: Wrongfully preventing an elder or dependent adult from receiving communications, visitors, or contact with others.
Families trying to determine whether unusual behavior or injuries may indicate mistreatment can review our nursing home abuse statistics in Los Angeles County and nursing home and elder abuse facts.
How to Report Elder Abuse in Los Angeles
Los Angeles County encourages people to contact APS even when they are unsure exactly what happened. For Los Angeles elder abuse reporting, families and other concerned individuals can:
- Call 1-877-477-3646 for suspected elder or dependent adult abuse. The hotline is available 24/7.
- Use the county’s online APS reporting system for non-urgent concerns.
- Call 911 for immediate emergency requiring police, fire, or medical assistance.
- Provide as much information as possible about the individual, suspected mistreatment, location, and immediate safety concerns.
The county recommends calling the hotline for urgent and life-threatening abuse, neglect, or exploitation rather than relying on the online portal.
For information on how to report elder abuse in Los Angeles, review our guide to reporting nursing home abuse and neglect.
What Information Should You Gather?
You do not need proof before contacting APS. However, specific information may help the agency understand the concern. When possible, be prepared to provide:
- The older or dependent adult’s name and location.
- The nature of the suspected abuse or neglect.
- When and where incidents occurred.
- Information about the suspected abuser or caregiver.
- Known injuries or immediate medical concerns.
- Specific financial transactions or missing property, if financial abuse is suspected.
- Other people who may have relevant information.
Families should also preserve photographs, medical and financial records, communications, and notes about concerning incidents. Learn more in our guide to documenting evidence of elder abuse.
What Happens After an APS Report?
The exact APS investigation process depends on the allegations and the person’s circumstances. A case may involve the following steps:
|
Stage |
What May Happen |
| Report and Screening | APS receives information and evaluates the nature and urgency of the allegations. |
| Investigation | An APS social worker may contact or meet with the individual and assess the reported concerns. |
| Safety and Needs Assessment | APS considers the person’s circumstances, ability to make decisions, safety, and need for services. |
| Services and Referrals | APS may provide case management, counseling, advocacy, or referrals to community resources. |
| Cross-Reporting | APS may report allegations to law enforcement, licensing agencies, or other authorities. |
| Case Resolution | Services may continue as appropriate, or the case may eventually be closed. |
Report and Screening
What May Happen: APS receives information and evaluates the nature and urgency of the allegations.
Investigation
What May Happen: An APS social worker may contact or meet with the individual and assess the reported concerns.
Safety and Needs Assessment
What May Happen: APS considers the person’s circumstances, ability to make decisions, safety, and need for services.
Services and Referrals
What May Happen: APS may provide case management, counseling, advocacy, or referrals to community resources.
Cross-Reporting
What May Happen: APS may report allegations to law enforcement, licensing agencies, or other authorities.
Case Resolution
What May Happen: Services may continue as appropriate, or the case may eventually be closed.
What Can APS Do?
Depending on the circumstances, APS may:- Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation.
- Assess the person’s safety and living conditions.
- Provide case management, counseling, advocacy, and referrals.
- Coordinate with healthcare providers and community organizations.
- Contact law enforcement when APS believes a crime has occurred.
- Involve medical or mental health professionals when someone appears to pose a danger to themselves or others.
- Refer a case to the Public Guardian when an individual appears unable to manage personal or financial needs and additional legal protection may be necessary.
What Can’t APS Do?
APS is not a law enforcement agency and does not control criminal investigations. It also does not have authority over care facilities. Most importantly, APS operates according to the principle of adult self-determination. A person has the right to refuse APS services. However, if an APS worker believes someone does not understand the risks of refusing help, additional referrals or interventions may be considered. APS also does not:- Award financial compensation for injuries or losses.
- Decide civil liability for abuse or neglect.
- Prosecute criminal charges.
- Replace private legal representation.
- Automatically force a competent adult to leave a home simply because others believe the situation is unsafe.
What If the Abuse Happens in a Nursing Home?
In Los Angeles County, APS investigates mistreatment that occurs outside long-term care facilities, state hospitals, and state developmental centers. Suspected abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility may instead be reported to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, law enforcement, or the appropriate licensing agency. Families concerned about a resident’s treatment may also want to understand protections against retaliation, including whether a nursing home can evict a resident for complaining.What If the Abuse Happens in a Nursing Home?
In Los Angeles County, APS investigates mistreatment that occurs outside long-term care facilities, state hospitals, and state developmental centers. Suspected abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility may instead be reported to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, law enforcement, or the appropriate licensing agency. Families concerned about a resident’s treatment may also want to understand protections against retaliation, including whether a nursing home can evict a resident for complaining.When Might a Family Also Seek Legal Advice?
An APS investigation and a civil elder abuse case serve different purposes. APS investigates safety concerns and connects vulnerable adults with protective services and resources. A family may separately seek legal advice when an older or dependent adult has suffered serious injury, financial loss, or other harm. Legal advice may also be useful when abuse occurs in a facility outside APS’s primary jurisdiction. Our educational overview of suing for elder abuse in California discusses some of the issues that can arise in civil elder abuse cases.Concerned About Elder Abuse or Neglect in Los Angeles?
Reporting suspected abuse to APS can be an important step toward protecting an older or dependent adult, but an APS investigation may not address every issue a family faces. If abuse or neglect has caused serious injuries, financial losses, or other harm, you may also have questions about your loved one’s legal rights. The Los Angeles elder abuse attorneys at Gharibian Law can review what happened, explain your options, and determine whether additional legal action may be appropriate. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your concerns and learn what steps may be available to protect your loved one.FAQs
Can I make an anonymous APS report?
Los Angeles County protects the identity of people who report suspected abuse to APS. Even if you provide your name when making a report, your identity is kept confidential and is not disclosed to the person who is the subject of the report.
How quickly does APS respond to reports of elder abuse?
Response times depend on the urgency of the report. For urgent concerns, call the 24/7 APS hotline. For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911.
Can APS remove an elderly person from an unsafe home?
APS cannot remove a competent adult who refuses services. However, it may involve emergency services or the Public Guardian when additional protection is needed.
Should I contact an attorney if APS is already investigating?
An APS investigation does not prevent a family from seeking legal advice. A lawyer can explain potential legal options when abuse or neglect has caused injury, financial loss, or other harm.