How to spot the signs of elder abuse, who to call in San Diego County, and what happens after you report to Adult Protective Services.
By Marcus Reyes, LSW · July 15, 2026
Under California's Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Welfare & Institutions Code §15600 et seq.), “elder abuse” covers far more than physical harm. It includes physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), abandonment, isolation, abduction, and financial exploitation of anyone 65 or older. Financial abuse alone — pressuring a senior into changing a will, draining a bank account, or misusing a power of attorney — is one of the most common and most under-reported forms.
It matters that the law is this broad, because families often wait to act until they see a bruise. In practice, the earliest signs are usually financial or emotional: a caregiver who controls all the money, a relative who won't let anyone visit alone, or a senior who has suddenly become fearful and withdrawn. San Diego County's Aging & Independence Services (AIS) treats all of these as reportable.
Physical and care-related red flags include unexplained bruises, burns, or pressure sores; sudden weight loss or dehydration; poor hygiene or dirty living conditions; missed medications; and untreated medical problems. With neglect, the person providing care is often overwhelmed rather than malicious — but the senior is at risk either way, and it still warrants a call.
Behavioral and financial signs are just as important: a senior who seems afraid of a particular person, unexplained withdrawals or new “friends” handling money, missing belongings, sudden changes to a will or deed, unpaid bills despite adequate income, or a caregiver who refuses to leave the senior alone with visitors. Isolation — cutting the person off from family, friends, or their doctor — is frequently a tactic that precedes financial exploitation.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. For non-emergencies, San Diego County's Adult Protective Services (APS) runs a 24-hour line at 800-510-2020. APS, part of Aging & Independence Services, investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults 65+ and dependent adults living in the community. You can also reach AIS for general help and referrals at 800-339-4661, and California's statewide APS hotline at 833-401-0832 will route you to the right county.
If the abuse or neglect is happening inside a licensed assisted living or skilled nursing facility, contact the San Diego County Long-Term Care Ombudsman — an advocate specifically for facility residents — reachable through AIS, or the statewide Ombudsman CRISISline at 800-231-4024. You can also file a complaint against a licensed care facility with California Community Care Licensing (CCLD) at ccld.dss.ca.gov or its complaint line, 844-538-8766. Reporting to one agency does not stop you from reporting to another; serious cases often involve APS, the Ombudsman, and law enforcement together.
You do not need proof, and you do not need to be certain. California law asks only for reasonable suspicion, and people who report abuse in good faith are protected from liability. You can report anonymously if you prefer, though giving your contact information helps investigators follow up. After a report, an APS social worker screens the case, and — depending on urgency — makes contact within 24 hours for emergencies or up to 10 days for lower-risk situations, often with a home visit to assess safety and offer services.
Certain people are “mandated reporters” under California law and must report suspected abuse: care custodians, health practitioners, clergy, and, for financial abuse, bank and credit-union staff. But anyone can and should call. APS can arrange in-home support, emergency shelter, health referrals, and coordination with law enforcement or the District Attorney's Elder Abuse unit. A free local senior-care advisor can also help a family stabilize the situation — for example, moving a vulnerable senior into a licensed, well-rated San Diego community when staying at home is no longer safe.
Because financial abuse is so common in San Diego — a high-cost county with significant senior wealth in home equity — a few safeguards go a long way. Set up trusted contacts and account alerts with the senior's bank, keep at least two family members aware of major financial decisions, and be cautious with any new caregiver, romantic interest, or “advisor” who quickly wants control of money or documents. Legitimate professionals welcome a second set of eyes; exploiters push for secrecy and speed.
If a power of attorney, trust, or deed change is being pushed on a senior under pressure, that alone is worth a call to APS and, ideally, an independent elder-law attorney. Acting early — before assets are gone — is far easier than recovering them afterward.
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