Where to report Elder Abuse
When reporting elder abuse in California, you can take several avenues. If you suspect senior abuse and neglect, contact the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program and also report elderly abuse to law enforcement officials and a long-term care ombudsman.
Reporting Sacramento elder abuse is a vital step toward stopping a widespread problem – the California Attorney General estimates 200,000 seniorsmay be victimized in the state each year. If the senior abuse and neglect you witness constitutes an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, you can report elderly abuse to several agencies. A prime place to report nursing home abuse is your long-term care ombudsman office, which is mandated to help prevent elder abuse in senior facilities. We can help you report neglect and abuse – contact us immediately.
Along with reporting elder abuse, reporting elder neglect in Sacramento care facilities is important, too. For complaints about senior abuse and neglect in nursing homes, contact the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program. To report elderly abuse, you can also call local law enforcement offices, which often have senior abuse units. Another place to report nursing home abuse in California is the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse. We can help you navigate it all – contact us for help.
California Department of Social Services (DSS)
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www.cdss.ca.gov
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DSS (the Department of Social Services) is the state agency that investigates and enforces reports of elder abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities, RCFEs, and memory care communities.
California Department of Public Health (DPH)
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www.cdph.ca.gov
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DPH (the Department of Public Health) is the state agency responsible for receiving, investigating, and enforcing complaints of elder abuse an neglect in skilled nursing facilities, including violations of care standards, safety, and residents’ rights.
Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse
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ag.ca.gov/bmfea
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BMFEA (Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse) is the state agency within the Attorney General’s Office that investigates and prosecutes elder abuse, neglect, and Medi-Cal fraud in long-term care facilities
Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
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www.sacda.org/victim-services/elder-abuse/
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The Sacramento County District Attorney prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases when evidence shows a crime occurred against a senior or dependent adult within the county.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
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aging.ca.gov/Programs/LTCOP
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The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, investigates complaints—including elder abuse—and helps residents and families navigate the reporting process.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
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canhr.org
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(CANHR) is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides families with guidance, advocacy, and reliable information about residents’ rights, long-term care laws, and how to address or report nursing home and assisted-living abuse.
Reporting elder abuse can be a challenging process, but help is available throughout the country. In cases of senior abuse and neglect, you can start with your local long-term care ombudsman. When you report elderly abuse to ombudsmen, they serve as an interface between you and official agencies. Ombudsmen report nursing home abuse as well as elder abuse in other venues such as assisted living facilities.
Report elderly abuse to a local law enforcement agency such as a police or sheriff’s office. To report nursing home abuse, ask for an elder abuse unit – many law enforcement agencies have created these to help stop elder abuse and neglect. To report elder abuse in long term care facilities, also try the district attorney’s office. Many of these offices also have special senior abuse units, all across the country.
More links to Report Elder Abuse in the U.S.:
Law enforcement, including local sheriff, police or district attorney’s office: for a list of local district attorneys, visit: answers.usa.gov/system/templates/selfservice/USAGov/#!portal/1012/article/3232/Locating-a-State-District-Attorney
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: (202) 332-2275; for a list of ombudsman in every state, visit ltcombudsman.org/ombudsman
To learn more about elder abuse and neglect
National Center on Elder Abuse: ncea.aoa.gov/faq/index.aspx
Department of Health & Human Services Administration on Aging: aoa.gov/AoA_programs/Elder_Rights/EA_Prevention/whatIsEA.aspx
National Institutes of Health MedLine Plus: nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/elderabuse.html