How to report abuse, neglect or a care problem in Utah

How do I report elder abuse in Salt Lake County, Utah?

Call Utah Adult Protective Services, part of the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging and Adult Services, at 1-800-371-7897 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a senior or a vulnerable adult; if someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

APS investigates reports about vulnerable adults wherever they live, including private homes, assisted living and nursing facilities. Utah's assisted living rule requires administrators to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation and to investigate when there is reason to believe a resident has been harmed. Families do not need proof to make a report; a reasonable concern is enough.

What does the Salt Lake County Long-Term Care Ombudsman do?

The Salt Lake County Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents receiving facility-based care in the county, such as in nursing homes and assisted living: it investigates complaints, works with other agencies to resolve problems, and explains residents' rights, free of charge, at 385-468-3255 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or ombudsman@saltlakecounty.gov.

The ombudsman works for the resident, not the facility or the family, and keeps the resident's wishes at the center. That makes it the right first call for disputes about discharges, rights, food, care plans or how a complaint was handled. Tooele County's ombudsman line is 435-277-2350, and the state ombudsman office at DHHS can be reached at 385-222-1273.

How do I file a complaint about a licensed facility with DLBC?

Use DLBC's “Submit a concern” page to report a possible licensing violation at an assisted living facility, nursing facility, home health agency, hospice or other licensed health facility; complaint investigations then appear on the facility's public record as “Complaint” or “Investigation” inspections.

DLBC's role is enforcement of licensing rules, which can lead to findings, civil money penalties, conditions on a license or revocation. It is not an advocacy service. Many families use both: DLBC for the rule violation, the ombudsman for the resident's day-to-day situation.

In DLBC's current 36-month record, local assisted living and nursing facilities carry 282 findings in all; see every finding.

What licensing sanctions has DLBC issued in the Salt Lake area?

DLBC's sanctions list for the past three years includes conditions placed on license for The Lodge at Riverton (08/08/2025, sanction ended 11/06/2025); amended conditions for Twin Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care (06/03/2024, sanction ended 08/01/2024); conditions placed on license for Twin Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care (04/19/2024, amended conditions on 06/03/2024); conditions placed on license for Our House of Tooele (11/13/2024, sanction ended 05/01/2024); amended conditions for Pine Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing (12/19/2024, sanction ended 01/31/2025); conditions placed on license for Pine Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing (11/01/2024).

DLBC publishes its provider sanctions list for the past three years on its public reports page. A condition on a license is a formal agency action, more serious than an ordinary finding.

Which agency should a Salt Lake family call first?

Call 911 for an emergency, Adult Protective Services for suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, the ombudsman for a resident's rights or a facility dispute, and DLBC for a licensing rule violation.

If you are unsure, start with the ombudsman; staff can route a concern to APS or DLBC and explain what each agency can do. Keep a written log of dates, names and what you saw, and photograph anything relevant. Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services (385-468-3200) is a separate agency that arranges services such as Meals on Wheels and caregiver support; it is not an enforcement agency.