Worried about a nursing home in Tucson: who to call and what your family can do
If you are worried about someone in a Tucson nursing home, you can call the Pima Council on Aging ombudsman at (520) 790-7262. Adult Protective Services is 1-877-SOS-ADULT. An Arizona vulnerable adult claim generally must be filed within 2 years after actual discovery. If there is danger right now, call 911.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (37)
Who do I call about a nursing home in Tucson?
You do not need proof to reach out. A worry is enough. These offices do different jobs, and it is fine to contact more than one.
| Who | What they do | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Pima Council on Aging | Staff and volunteers can visit residents and speak up for them | (520) 790-7262 or [email protected] |
| Adult Protective Services | Takes reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation | 1-877-SOS-ADULT |
| Arizona Department of Health Services | Investigates written complaints about licensed care homes | Survey agency: 602-364-2536 |
| Tucson Police or Pima County Sheriff | Responds to possible crimes | TPD non-emergency: 520-791-4444. Call 911 in an emergency |
The state lists Pima Council on Aging as this county's Area Agency on Aging. Contact posters for the ombudsman, in English and Spanish, must be up in every long-term care facility in Pima County. If you do not see one, that is worth mentioning. A resident of a Pima County facility can complain without fear of being punished.
Please report sooner rather than later. The state says a complaint is harder to look into when months have passed.
What are the signs of neglect in a Tucson care home?
You know your loved one. Trust it when something seems different. Common concerns include:
- Bedsores. Federal rules say these should not develop unless they are clinically unavoidable.
- Repeated falls. Facilities must provide supervision and devices to help prevent accidents.
- Unexplained bruises, weight loss or sudden fear of staff. A resident in a Tucson facility has a right to live free of abuse and neglect.
- Staff who are slow to answer, or who will not explain what happened.
A facility must report an allegation within 2 hours when abuse or serious injury is involved. You can ask whether a report was made and to whom. You can also look at the most recent inspection report, which residents have a right to see. CMS also posts star ratings for inspections, staffing and quality.
How do I get records from a Tucson nursing home?
- Ask in writing. A resident or their representative can see records within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays.
- Ask for copies. The facility has to hand them over once you give 2 working days' notice.
- Get the hospital records too. Banner hospital records come from MRO Patient Central.
- Keep your own notes of visits, phone calls and who you spoke with.
If your loved one cannot make decisions and no one has legal authority, the probate court can appoint someone. Family members may serve. When no one else is able, the Pima County Public Fiduciary can be appointed.
Can my family bring a claim against a Tucson nursing home?
Often, yes, and it may help other residents as well. Arizona's vulnerable adult law allows a suit against a person or enterprise providing care. Under the vulnerable adult law, abuse can mean injury from a negligent act or from a failure to act.
The claim generally must be brought within two years after actual discovery, and it has specific elements to prove. The state attorney general must get notice within 30 days after filing.
The facility's liability insurer is usually who pays. A Tucson nursing home claim is not held to a cap on damages under Arizona's constitution. If a government-run home is involved, a notice of claim is due within 180 days. Medicare may need to be repaid from any settlement. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Tucson can tell you which of these fit.
Papers signed at admission may include arbitration. A facility cannot make that a condition of admission or of staying. There is a right to cancel within 30 calendar days. Arizona courts have also held that family members' wrongful death claims are not bound by a resident's agreement.
What if my loved one has died at a Tucson facility?
We are so sorry. Nothing here has to happen today. When you are ready, these steps can help you understand what happened.
- The claim does not end with your loved one's death.
- The Pima County Medical Examiner can tell you whether a case was opened. Call 520-724-8600, option 2. A report costs $2, and is free for legal next of kin.
- Pima County Vital Records provides certified death certificates for $20 each.
- Pima County Superior Court publishes probate packets, including one to appoint a personal representative.
Questions
How do I report a nursing home in Pima County?
Call the ombudsman at (520) 790-7262 or Adult Protective Services at 1-877-SOS-ADULT.
How long does my family have to file in Arizona?
A vulnerable adult claim generally must be filed within 2 years after actual discovery.
Do we have to sign the arbitration form?
No. A facility cannot require it to admit you or to keep you.
Will my mother be punished if I complain?
Reprisal for a complaint is not allowed. Tell the ombudsman right away if you see any change in how she is treated.
Nursing home abuse or neglect in Tucson? See if you are owed money.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (37)
- Pima Council on Aging, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “Please call (520) 790-7262 or email [email protected]”
- Arizona DES, checked 2026-11-09. “1-877-SOS-ADULT (1-877-767-2385)”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “shall be commenced within two years after actual discovery of the cause of action”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)”
- 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “must not require any resident or his or her representative to sign an agreement for binding arbitration as a condition of admission to”
- Pima Council on Aging, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “have the ability to visit assisted living and nursing home residents in Pima County to advocate for your rights.”
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Complaint FAQs, checked 2026-11-09. “Anyone with knowledge or concerns about an assisted living, behavioral health, long term care or medical facility may file a complaint in writing.”
- CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “Phone Number 602-364-2536”
- Tucson Police, Frequently Asked Questions, checked 2026-11-08. “Non-emergency: 520-791-4444”
- Arizona DES, Area Agency on Aging Locations, checked 2026-11-09. “Pima Council on Aging 520-790-0504 Helpline: 520-790-7262”
- Pima Council on Aging, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, checked 2026-11-09. “which are required to be posted in every long-term care facility in Pima County.”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “without discrimination or reprisal and without fear of discrimination or reprisal”
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Complaint FAQs, checked 2026-11-09. “It is imperative that complaints be reported timely”
- 42 CFR 483.25, checked 2026-11-09. “does not develop pressure ulcers unless the individual's clinical condition demonstrates that they were unavoidable”
- 42 CFR 483.25, checked 2026-11-09. “Each resident receives adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.”
- 42 CFR 483.12, checked 2026-11-09. “The resident has the right to be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, and exploitation”
- 42 CFR 483.12, checked 2026-11-09. “not later than 2 hours after the allegation is made”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “Examine the results of the most recent survey of the facility conducted by Federal or State surveyors”
- CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “There is one Overall 5-star rating for each nursing home, and separate ratings for health inspections, staffing and quality measures.”
- 42 CFR 483.10, checked 2026-11-09. “upon request and 2 working days advance notice to the facility”
- Banner Health, Patient Medical Records, checked 2026-11-08. “you can request your medical records from any Banner Health hospital, provider office, or urgent care location.”
- Pima County Public Fiduciary, FAQs, checked 2026-11-09. “family members may also serve as guardian and conservator.”
- Pima County, Public Fiduciary, checked 2026-11-09. “serves as a court-appointed guardian or conservator for vulnerable adults or people who are incapacitated”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “may file an action in superior court against any person or enterprise that has been employed to provide care”
- A.R.S. 46-451, checked 2026-11-09. “Injury caused by negligent acts or omissions.”
- Arizona Supreme Court, Delgado v. Manor Care (2017), checked 2026-11-09. “(1) a vulnerable adult, (2) has suffered an injury, (3) caused by abuse, (4) from a caregiver”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “within thirty days after the action is filed with the superior court”
- Arizona Constitution, art. 2, sec. 31, checked 2026-11-09. “No law shall be enacted in this state limiting the amount of damages to be recovered for causing the death or injury of any person”
- A.R.S. 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”
- CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “it must be repaid to Medicare when a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment is made”
- 42 CFR 483.70, checked 2026-11-09. “the right to rescind the agreement within 30 calendar days of signing it”
- Arizona Court of Appeals, Duenas v. Life Care (2014), checked 2026-11-09. “wrongful-death claims are not subject to the resident”
- A.R.S. 46-455, checked 2026-11-09. “shall not be limited or affected by the death of the vulnerable adult”
- Pima County Medical Examiner, Decedent Status, checked 2026-11-08. “Please call 520-724-8600, Option 2, for questions and release hours”
- Pima County Medical Examiner, Case Search Portal, checked 2026-11-08. “Requesting a report costs $2 except for the legal Next of Kin or the investigating law enforcement agency.”
- Pima County, Order a Birth or Death Certificate, checked 2026-11-08. “Payment for the $20 processing fee for each certified copy”
- Pima County Superior Court, Probate Court Forms, checked 2026-11-08. “Packet 02 - Appointment of Personal Representative”