What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse
You do not need proof to ask for help. Here is which agency to contact for each situation, the phone numbers, and what to have ready when you call.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For other concerns, contact your state's Adult Protective Services (APS), which you can reach through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov. Report abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility to your state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman as well. For financial exploitation or scams, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. You do not need all the details before you call.
People who suspect that a parent, neighbor or spouse is being mistreated often hesitate. They worry about being wrong, or about making things worse. These agencies do not ask for proof or certainty. Their job is to find out what is happening.
| Situation | Who to contact | How |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger or a crime in progress | Police or emergency services | 911 |
| Suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation at home | Adult Protective Services | Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116 |
| Abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living | Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and APS | Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116 |
| Scam or financial exploitation | National Elder Fraud Hotline | 1-833-372-8311, daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET |
| Questions about a power of attorney, will or guardianship | Elder law attorney | State bar referral or naela.org |
Step 1: If there's immediate danger, call 911
If an older person is in physical danger right now, or you believe a crime is taking place, call 911 before anything else. Police and emergency responders can act immediately.
Step 2: Report other concerns to Adult Protective Services
For suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation that is not an emergency, contact Adult Protective Services. Every state has an APS agency. It investigates reports and connects older adults with protective services.
APS is run by the states, so there is no single national number. The Eldercare Locator, a free service of the federal Administration for Community Living, will connect you with the APS office for the person's location. Call 1-800-677-1116 or go to eldercare.acl.gov.
APS looks into physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect by a caregiver, self-neglect and abandonment. You do not have to know which one applies. In most states you can report anonymously. Ask about the policy when you call.
What to have ready, if you know it:
- the person's name, address and approximate age
- what you saw or heard, and when
- who you think is responsible, if anyone
- whether the person has memory problems or cannot care for themselves
Report even if you have only some of this. An adult who is able to make their own decisions can refuse APS services, so a report does not take control away from them.
Signs that may indicate abuse
Unexplained injuries, sudden changes in a person's finances or new names on accounts, withdrawal from normal activities, poor hygiene or living conditions, or a caregiver who won't allow the person to be seen alone.
You don't need to be certain
APS, the Ombudsman program and the National Elder Fraud Hotline all help evaluate a concern. Calling to ask questions is a reasonable first step.
Step 3: In a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
For suspected abuse or neglect inside a nursing home, assisted living residence or similar facility, contact your state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. It was created under the Older Americans Act and has local offices in every state. Ombudsmen investigate and help resolve complaints made by residents or on their behalf, from poor care to suspected abuse. Their services are free, and they act only with the resident's consent where the resident can give it. The Eldercare Locator can give you the number.
Step 4: For financial exploitation or scams, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline
Signs of financial exploitation include unusual account activity, a new "friend" involved in someone's money, a scam, and pressure to change a will or power of attorney.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline, 1-833-372-8311, is run by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime for adults 60 and older. It is staffed seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time. Case managers assess the situation, help you report to the right agencies and point you to further help. Use it together with a report to APS.
If money has just been sent, call the bank or card company first and ask them to stop or reverse the payment. Banks can also flag or freeze an account when they suspect exploitation.
If legal documents are involved, such as a power of attorney, will or guardianship, an elder law attorney can review them. Your state or local bar association can refer you, or search the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys directory at naela.org. Our Senior Legal Aid Locator lists free legal help.
Step 5: If you are still unsure
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), at ncea.acl.gov, is a federally funded information resource. It is not a crisis line, but you can read about the signs of abuse there before deciding to report.
Caregiver stress is sometimes part of the picture. If you are a caregiver, or are worried about one, our Family Caregiver Support Eligibility Checker points to local support programs. Related guides: warning signs of financial exploitation by a trusted person and Social Security and Medicare scam red flags.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a senior is in immediate danger?
Call 911 right away. Immediate physical danger comes before any other step.
How do I report suspected elder abuse that isn't an emergency?
Contact your state's Adult Protective Services (APS). The Eldercare Locator, at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov, is run by the federal Administration for Community Living and can connect you to the APS agency for any location in the country.
What if the abuse is happening in a nursing home or assisted living facility?
Contact your state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which investigates and resolves complaints for residents of nursing homes, assisted living and similar facilities. The Eldercare Locator can give you the local office.
What if I suspect financial exploitation or a scam targeting an older adult?
Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, run by the U.S. Department of Justice and staffed daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Also report it to your state's Adult Protective Services, and consult an elder law attorney if documents such as a power of attorney are involved.
What counts as elder abuse?
Physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, self-neglect and abandonment are all recognized forms of elder abuse.
This article provides general information and directs readers to official resources. It does not investigate reports or provide legal advice. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For other concerns, contact your state's Adult Protective Services agency.