To

Online reporting: Delaware DHCQ also provides an online Report Abuse form. You can use it to submit a report to the state online.

report nursing home abuse or neglect in Delaware, call the Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ) 24-hour complaint hotline at 1-877-453-0012. If the resident is in immediate danger, call 911 first. Reporting triggers a state investigation — and it does not prevent or replace a civil lawsuit against the facility.

Where to Report: Every Delaware Option

  • Immediate danger: Call 911. Physical or sexual abuse is a crime; police respond to facilities like anywhere else.
  • DHCQ complaint hotline: 1-877-453-0012 (24 hours). DHCQ licenses and inspects Delaware long-term care facilities and investigates complaints.
  • Online report: Submit a report through Delaware DHCQ’s online Report Abuse form.
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Delaware’s ombudsman program advocates for residents and can intervene on care and rights issues.
  • The facility itself: Put concerns in writing to the administrator and keep a copy – it creates a record the facility cannot deny seeing.

What to Include in Your Report

Dates, times, names of staff involved, what you observed (photograph injuries and conditions when possible), and any explanation the facility gave. Keep your own dated log. Delaware’s resident rights law (16 Del. C. § 1121) protects residents’ dignity and care standards – specific, dated observations tied to those rights get complaints investigated seriously.

Reporting Is Step One – Not the Last Step

A DHCQ investigation can cite and fine the facility, but it does not compensate your family or your loved one for injuries. That requires a civil claim, and the state’s findings can become powerful evidence in it. Do both: report now, and have the case evaluated.

Related: Nursing Home Abuse, Signs of Abuse & Neglect, Residents’ Rights.

Reporting FAQs

Can the facility retaliate against my loved one for a complaint?

Retaliation is prohibited. Document any change in treatment after your report – retaliation itself strengthens a civil case.

Can I report anonymously?

Yes, DHCQ accepts anonymous complaints – though named reports with specifics tend to drive stronger investigations.

Should I move my loved one before reporting?

Safety first: you have the right to relocate a resident at any time. Moving does not weaken the claim – the records of what already happened remain.

Reported abuse and want to know what comes next? Call (302) 297-7775 for a free, confidential consultation.

Attorney and source information

Attorney Joshua J. Inkell leads The Inkell Firm, LLC. Before representing injured people, he worked as an insurance-defense attorney. This Delaware nursing-home reporting guide is published by the firm and links to the Delaware agency resource for submitting a report. Learn more about The Inkell Firm or contact us for a confidential consultation.