Learn About Contacting Adult Protective Services

What Adult Protective Services Does

Adult Protective Services (APS) is a government program that works to protect older adults and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Each state runs its own APS program, though the basic goals are similar across the country. APS caseworkers investigate reports of harm, assess situations, and connect people with resources that may help.

The primary focus of APS is investigating concerns about vulnerable adults. This includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation. Neglect means a caregiver is not providing necessary care like food, medicine, or a safe living space. Financial exploitation happens when someone improperly uses an older adult's or person with disability's money or property. APS workers look into these situations to determine what happened and what protections or services might be needed.

APS also works to preserve people's independence and dignity whenever possible. The program does not automatically remove people from their homes or separate families. Instead, caseworkers try to keep people safe while respecting their choices and allowing them to stay in their communities. If someone has the mental ability to make decisions about their own care, APS generally respects those decisions, even if others think the choices are risky.

The types of situations APS handles vary widely. Examples include an older person not receiving medications, a caregiver stealing money, an adult with an intellectual disability living in unsanitary conditions, or an elderly person being physically harmed by a family member. APS may also respond to concerns about self-neglect, where someone is not caring for themselves adequately because of mental health issues, substance use, or inability to manage daily tasks.

Practical takeaway: APS exists to investigate and respond to situations where adults over 60 or people with disabilities may be experiencing harm. Understanding what APS does helps you know when contacting them might be appropriate.

Who Can Contact Adult Protective Services

In most states, anyone can contact APS to report concerns about an older adult or person with disabilities. You do not need to be a family member, friend, or even know the person well. Some states have mandatory reporters—people whose jobs require them to report suspected abuse or neglect. These typically include healthcare providers, social workers, counselors, teachers, and law enforcement officers. However, most states also allow voluntary reporting from any concerned person.

You might contact APS if you are a family member noticing changes in a loved one's health or safety. You could be a neighbor who sees concerning conditions at someone's home. You might be a friend worried about someone's wellbeing. You could be a healthcare provider, religious leader, or community worker who has observations about a person's situation. You could even be a stranger who witnesses something concerning in public.

Reporting can be done by phone, in person, or in writing, depending on your state's procedures. Most states have a toll-free hotline where you can report concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can often remain anonymous when making a report, though some states ask for your name and contact information. Providing your information helps the APS caseworker follow up with questions if needed, but you should not feel pressured to identify yourself if you prefer not to.

When you contact APS, a staff member will ask you questions about the situation. Be prepared to describe who the person is, where they live, what concerns you, and how you became aware of the situation. You do not need to have proof of abuse or neglect. Simply describing what you have observed or heard is enough to start the process. The APS caseworker will determine whether the report meets the legal definition of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that requires investigation.

Some people worry about making a report. You might fear causing problems, damaging relationships, or making things worse. These are real concerns, but they are also common reasons why abuse and neglect go unreported. Reporting allows trained professionals to assess the situation and determine what is actually happening. Many situations improve once professional intervention begins.

Practical takeaway: You do not need special status or permission to contact APS. If you have concerns about an older adult or person with disabilities, you can make a report by calling your state's APS hotline or visiting your local APS office.

How to Find Your Local Adult Protective Services Office

Each state operates its own APS program, which means the office you contact depends on where the person lives, not where you live. If you are concerned about someone in another state, you will need to contact that state's APS program. Start by searching for your state's name plus "Adult Protective Services." Most states have a central intake hotline that handles reports from across the state, so you may not need to find a specific local office.

You can find contact information through several methods. The Eldercare Locator, run by the Administration for Community Living (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), provides contact information for APS programs nationwide. You can call 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov. This service can direct you to the APS office in any state. You can also search your state's official government website by looking for the department responsible for aging and adult services, which varies by state name but might be called the Department of Human Services, Department of Social Services, or Department of Aging.

State websites often have the APS phone number prominently displayed. Many states also provide online reporting forms if you prefer not to call. Some states have separate numbers for different regions of the state, while others use one statewide hotline. Your state's website will specify which method applies where you need help.

If you are having trouble finding the right office, several resources can help. Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide information about APS and other programs. These agencies serve older adults in most communities and can often connect you with the right department. You can find your Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator. Local senior centers, libraries, and community health centers often have contact information for APS as well. You can also call your state's main information line and ask to be directed to the Adult Protective Services program.

When you contact APS, you will typically speak with an intake worker who receives reports over the phone. This person will ask you about the situation and may need details like the person's name, age, address, and specific concerns. Having this information ready before you call makes the conversation more efficient. If you are unsure whether a situation warrants calling APS, you can ask the intake worker questions about what APS investigates.

Practical takeaway: Use the Eldercare Locator or your state's official website to find the phone number for APS in the state where the person lives. Most states have a single hotline that handles reports from the entire state.

What Information to Have Ready When Contacting APS

When you call APS to make a report, having certain information ready helps the process go more smoothly. The intake worker will ask questions to understand the situation, and you can answer more effectively if you have gathered details beforehand. Start by noting the full name of the person you are concerned about and their date of birth if you know it. You will also need their address or at least the neighborhood or city where they live. If you have a phone number or other contact information, that is helpful too.

Next, describe the specific concerns that prompted your call. Rather than making general statements like "I think something is wrong," describe what you have actually observed or heard. For example: "The person has lost 20 pounds in two months and says they are not eating because the caregiver takes their money." Or: "I saw bruises on the person's arm and they would not explain how they got them." Or: "The home is extremely dirty, there is no food in the refrigerator, and the person appears confused and disoriented." Specific observations help the caseworker understand the situation better.

Note when you first noticed concerns and how long the situation has been going on. Has this been happening for weeks, months, or years? Has it gotten worse recently? This timeline information helps APS determine how urgent the situation is. Also think about whether the person seems to be in immediate danger. For example, if someone is experiencing severe chest pain or life-threatening injuries, emergency services should be contacted first by calling 911.

Write down any information you have about the caregivers or others who may be involved. What are their names? What is their relationship to the vulnerable adult? How much time do they spend with the person? This context helps the caseworker understand the home situation. If you have concerns about a specific caregiver