Online Resources

California

Agencies Providing Protective & Support Services

California Attorney General's Office / Bureau of Medi-Cal and Elder Abuse

Investigates and prosecutes cases alone or in collaboration with local law enforcement when the circumstances require special expertise or resources. This includes abuse in nursing homes and fraud by health care providers.

Los Angeles: (213) 269-6000
San Francisco: (415) 510-4400
Oakland: (510) 879-1300
Fresno: (559) 705-2300
San Diego: (619) 738-9000

Website: https://oag.ca.gov/contact

Department of Social Services / Adult Protective Services

Oversees California's Adult Protective Services (APS) program and other key "safety net" programs like "In Home Support Services," which provides personal assistance to people with disabilities who cannot manage on their own. County APS programs investigate reports of abuse and neglect that occur in private homes, acute care hospitals, clinics, adult day care facilities, and social day care centers. APS workers also assist older adults and other adults who are functionally impaired and those experiencing or at risk for abuse, exploitation, neglect, or self neglect by providing or making referrals for case management, emergency shelter, in-home protection, transportation, and counseling.

Website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/

Department on Aging

Administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents of long-term care facilities. Funds from CDA programs come from the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and Medi-Cal. CDA contracts with Area Agencies on Aging to provide services. CDA services that promote elder justice include:

Service that enhance independence and autonomy, including programs that help older adults find employment, live independently, stay engaged, and avoid the need for nursing home care. CDA also provides services for caregivers.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program improves the quality of life of residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities by acting as their independent advocates. Local Ombudsman staff and volunteers visit residents, monitor conditions, investigate and resolve resident complaints, advocate for needed change, and provide education.
Legal assistance programs protect and defend the rights of older adult. They provide assistance to stop elder elder abuse and exploitation and defend tenants whose rights have been violated.

For a complete list of CDA's programs and services, go to CDA Programs & Services.

Website: https://www.aging.ca.gov/

California Office of Emergency Services (CALOES) Victim Services Program

Provides direct services for victims of crime including domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and teen dating violence, among others. They provide and oversee services for victims of crime. They provide funds to Victims Advocates who work in collaboration with District Attorney offices to ensure that victims understand the criminal justice process, advocate on their behalf, and provide support and referrals. CALOES also makes grants to public and non-profit agencies to provide counseling, shelter, legal assistance, case management to victims. As the result of a special initiative to reach older victims, CALOES provides funds to elder abuse multidisciplinary as well as counseling, legal assistance, case management, support groups to older victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation.

Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services (APS) agency to help elder adults (60 years and older) and dependent adults (18-59 who are disabled), when these adults are unable to meet their own needs, or are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. County APS agencies investigate reports of abuse of elders and dependent adults who live in private homes, apartments, hotels, ho

Contact your local County APS Office

National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center

Under the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvement in long-erm care system. The Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of nursing homes, board and care facilities, assisted living facilities and other smaller adult care facilities.

Provides information on how to recognize and report abuse, neglect, and exploitation in long-term care facilities.

Locate an ombudsman in your state

National Center on Law and Elder Rights

The National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) provides the legal services and aging and disability communities with the tools and resources they need to serve older adults with the greatest economic and social needs. A centralized, one-stop shop for legal assistance, NCLER provides Legal Training, Case Consultations, and Technical Assistance on Legal Systems Development.

Report.Prevent.Protect.

National Center on Elder Abuse

TheNational Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a national resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder maltreatment. NCEA provides professionals, policymakers, and the public information and resources on elder abuse prevention and response to help ensure that older adults age with dignity and respect, free from maltreatment.

855-500-3537