Elder abuse is a serious and common reality for too many older adults, and reports of such crimes are on the rise. Nearly 566,000 reports of elder abuse were made nationally in 2003, almost 20 percent more than in 2000. Elder abuse can take many forms of mistreatment—including physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse, as well as neglect.

If you are a victim of elder abuse or know of someone who has been or is being victimized, it's important to report such crimes. Help is available. And laws protect those reporting suspected cases of abuse.

In an emergency, call 911 or the local police. Meanwhile, each state has a lead agency responsible for investigating reports of elder abuse and various subagencies that take on different types of cases.

Adult protective services (APS) is the lead agency in most states. Many APS agencies have toll-free numbers that are available so individuals both in state and out of state can report suspected abuse. APS typically contacts other relevant agencies, such as law enforcement.

State long-term care ombudsman investigate reports of abuse in nursing homes and other residential care facilities and in most states, state attorneys general (AG) investigate and prosecute patient abuse or neglect. Most AG offices do this through their Medicaid Fraud Control Units, investigating reports of fraud and patient abuse that occur in Medicaid-funded health care facilities.

AARP Bulletin Online provides a convenient interactive resource that can help individuals find appropriate elder abuse resources in each state. Other resources include the national Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), a publicly funded resource that matches seniors with appropriate community resources; theNational Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; and theNational Center on Elder Abuse.

To quickly find the best elder abuse resources in your state, select the pertinent state:

Alabama

• Adult Protective Services: call (334) 242-1350 or toll-free (800) 458-7214; e-mail: aps@dhr.alabama.gov
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (334) 242-5770 or toll-free (877) 425-2243
• Attorney General: call the family protection unit at (334) 242-7300 or toll-free (800) 230-9485; e-mail: familyprotection@ago.state.al.us

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Alaska

• Adult Protective Services: call (907) 269-3666 or toll-free (800) 478-9996 (in state only)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (907) 334-4480 or toll-free (800) 730-6393
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (907) 269-6279

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Arizona

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (877) SOS-ADULT (877-767-2385)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (602) 542-4446 or e-mail: rnixon@azdes.gov
• Attorney General: contact the community services program at (602) 542-2123

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Arkansas

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 482-8049
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (501) 682-8952
• Attorney General: call the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit toll-free (866) 810-0016 (in state only)

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California

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (888) 436-3600 or find the number for your county APS office (pdf)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call the State CRISISline toll-free (800) 231-4024
• Attorney General: call toll-free (800) 722-0432

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Colorado

• Adult Protective Services call (303) 866-2800 or contact your county's
  Adult Protective Services intake line
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (303) 722-0300 or toll-free (800) 288-1376; find a local long-term care ombudsman here or by calling (800) 288-1376
• Attorney General: call (303) 222-4444 or toll-free (800) 222-4444

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Connecticut

• Protective Services for the Elderly: call 211 for after-hours elder abuse emergencies; call the toll-free in-state referral line (888) 385-4225 to report cases of abuse; out-of-state callers can dial Infoline toll-free (800) 203-1234.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (860) 424-5200 or toll-free (866) 388-1888 (in state only); e-mail: ltcop@ct.gov
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (860) 258-5986

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Delaware

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 223-9074
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (800) 223-9074 or find local assistance
• Attorney General: contact the Elderly Abuse and Exploitation Project at (302) 577-8508 in Wilmington or (302) 739-4211 in Kent and Sussex counties

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District of Columbia

• Adult Protective Services: call (202) 541-3950
• Contact the District's long-term care ombudsman at (202) 434-2190
• Attorney General: call (202) 727-3400

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Florida

• Adult Services: call toll-free (800) 96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) to report abuse. For other questions or inquiries, find your local adult protective services office.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (888) 831-0404
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit toll-free (866) 966-7226 (in state only)

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Georgia

• Adult Protective Services: in the metro Atlanta local calling area, call (404) 657-5250; outside Atlanta, call toll-free (888) 774-0152
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (888) 454-5826
• State Health Care Fraud Control Unit: in the metro Atlanta local calling area, call (770) 414-3640; outside Atlanta, call toll-free (800) 508-9109 to report Medicaid fraud and abuse in homes that receive Medicaid funding; or e-mail: shcfcu@gbi.state.ga.us

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Hawaii

• Adult Protective Services: call (808) 832-5115 in Oahu; (808) 933-8820 in Hilo/Hamakua/Puna; (808) 327-6280 in Kona/Kohala/Kamuela/Ka'u; (808) 241-3432 in Kauai; (808) 243-5151 in Molokai/Maui; or (808) 565-7104 in Lanai
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (808) 586-0100
• Attorney General: call the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for abuse allegations involving a Medicaid provider or facility: (808) 586-1058

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Idaho

• Adult Protective Services: call (208) 334-3833 or toll-free (877) 471-2777 or e-mail: sscott@icoa.state.id.us
• Ombudsman for the Elderly: call (208) 334-3833; e-mail: chart@aging.idaho.gov
• Attorney General: call (208) 334-2400

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Illinois

• Elder Abuse and Neglect Program: call the 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline toll-free (866) 800-1409 or visit the directory of elder abuse provider agencies (pdf) to find help in your area
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (217) 785-3143 or toll-free (800) 252-8966 (in state only); or find your local ombudsman
• Attorney General: call the office's Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud hotline toll-free (800) 243-5377 (in state only)

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Indiana

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 992-6978
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (317) 232-7134 or toll-free (800) 622-4484
• Attorney General: call the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit hotline toll-free (800) 382-1039

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Iowa

• Dependent Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 362-2178
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (800) 532-3213
• Department of Inspections and Appeals: to report Medicaid fraud, call toll-free (800) 831-1394 or contact Dan Hoffa, chief of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, at (515) 281-4291

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Kansas

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 922-5330 (in state only); out of state, call (785) 296-0044
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (877) 662-8362 (in state only); out of state, call (785) 296-3017
• Attorney General: contact the Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Unit by calling toll-free (800) 432-2310 (in state only); out of state, call (785) 296-3751; or e-mail: ane@ksag.org

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Kentucky

• Adult Protective Services: call (502) 564-7043 or call the Adult Abuse Hotline toll-free (800) 752-6200
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (502) 564-5497 or toll-free (800) 372-2973
• Attorney General: call the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit's hotline toll-free (877) ABUSE-TIP (877-228-7384)

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Louisiana

• Elderly Protective Services: call the state office hotline toll-free (800) 259-4990 (in state only) or the consumer information line toll-free (800) 351-4889; e-mail: eps@goea.la.gov
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (225) 342-7100 or toll-free in Louisiana at (800) 259-4990
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit toll-free (888) 799-6885 (in-state only) or at (225) 326-6210; or via e-mail: MFCUInfo@ag.state.la.us

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Maine

• Adult Protective Services: call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 624-8404 (nationwide)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: in the Augusta area, call (207) 621-1079; call toll-free (800) 499-0229 (in state only)
• Attorney General: call toll-free (800) 383-2441 (in state only) to report abuse, neglect or exploitation in a licensed nursing facility

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Maryland

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 91-PREVENT (800-917-7383)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (410) 767-1091 or the statewide toll-free hotline at (800) 243-3425, ext. 71091 (in state only).
• Attorney General: call toll-free (888) 743-0023 (in state only)

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Massachusetts

• Executive Office of Elder Affairs Protective Services: call the statewide Elder Abuse hotline toll-free (800) 922-2275; visit the 1-800-Age-Info website; or call (800) 243-4636 to find local help
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (617) 727-7750 or toll-free (800) AGE-INFO (800-243-4636) to find a local ombudsman
• Attorney General: call the statewide Elder Abuse hotline toll-free (800) 922-2275

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Michigan

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 996-6228 or contact your local Department of Human Services office
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (866) 485-9393
• Attorney General: call the 24-hour Health Care Fraud Hotline toll-free (800) 24-ABUSE (800-242-2873) (in state only)

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Minnesota

• Adult Protective Services: call (651) 431-2546 or toll-free (800) 882-6262; e-mail: jennifer.kirchen@state.mn.us
• Ombudsman for Long-Term Care: call (651) 431-2555 or toll-free (800) 657-3591
• Attorney General: call (651) 296-3353 or toll-free (800) 657-3787

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Mississippi

• Adult Protective Services: call (601) 359-4991 or toll-free (800) 222-8000 (in state only)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (601) 359-4927 or toll-free (800) 948-3090
• Attorney General: contact the Vulnerable Adults Unit at (601) 359-4158; or e-mail: jthom@ago.state.ms.us

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Missouri

• Adult Protective Services: call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 392-0210
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (573) 526-0727 or toll-free (800) 309-3282; e-mail: LTCOmbudsman@dhss.mo.gov
• Attorney General: call toll-free (800) 286-3932 to report possible Medicaid fraud or abuse and neglect of nursing home residents

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Montana

• Adult Protective Services: call the toll-free Local Abuse info line at (800) 551-3191 or visit the directory of local adult protective services to find your local APS contact
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (800) 332-2272 (in state only)
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (406) 444-3875

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Nebraska

• Adult Protective Services: call (402) 595-1324 or the 24-hour toll-free hotline at (800) 652-1999 (in state only); find your county contact by visiting the directory of local Department Health & Human Services contacts
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (402) 471-2307 or toll-free (800) 942-7830 (Nebraska only); e-mail: LTCOmbudsman@hhss.ne.gov
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (402) 471-3548 or toll-free (800) 727-6432 (in state only); e-mail: medicaid.fraud@ago.ne.gov

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Nevada

• Elder Protective Services: call (775) 687-4210 (Carson City area), (775) 688-2964 (Reno area), (775) 738-1966 (Elko area) or (702) 486-3545 (Las Vegas area); find your regional office here
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (775) 688-2964
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (775) 684-1100 to report suspicions of elder abuse or neglect by a Medicaid-licensed provider

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New Hampshire

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 949-0470 (in state only)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (603) 271-4375 or toll-free (800) 442-5640 (in state only)
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (603) 271-1246

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New Jersey

• Adult Protective Services: call (609) 530-7450 or toll-free in state at (800) 792-8820
• Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly: call (609) 943-4023 or call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at (877) 582-6995
• Attorney General: call (973) 504-6534 (Newark), (856) 614-3100 (Camden), or toll-free (877) 746-7850

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New Mexico

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (866) 654-3219
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (866) 654-3219 or (505) 476-4790
• Attorney General: call toll-free (800) 525-6519

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New York

• Protective Services for Adults: to report abuse, call toll-free (800) 342-3009 and press 6 (within New York State only); out of state, call (518) 473-7793 or contact your county's Department of Social Services office
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call the Senior Citizens hotline toll-free (800) 342-9871; out of state, call (518) 474-7329
• Attorney General: call the office's toll-free Anti-Fraud Tip Line at (866) NYS-FIGHT (866-697-3444) to report nursing home elder abuse or Medicaid fraud

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North Carolina

• Adult Protective Services: call your county Department of Social Services office or call (919) 733-3983 for further information
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (919) 733-8395, ext. 227; e-mail: sharon.wilder@ncmail.net
• Attorney General: call the Department of Health and Human Services' CARE-LINE toll-free (800) 662-7030 (in state only) to report abuse; call the attorney general's Victims and Citizens Services division at (919) 716-6780 regarding seniors' legal rights

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North Dakota

• Vulnerable Adult Protective Services: call (701) 328-4601 or call the Senior Info-Line toll-free at 1-(800) 451-8693
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (701) 328-4617 or toll-free (800) 451-8693
• Attorney General: call (701) 328-2210

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Ohio

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 266-4346 (in state only)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (614) 644-7922 or toll-free (800) 282-1206; or contact your regional long-term care ombudsman
• Attorney General: call toll-free (800) 64-ABUSE (800-642-2873) (in state only)

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Oklahoma

• Adult Protective Services: call the Adult Abuse Hotline toll-free at (800) 522-3511 or find your local Adult Protective Services supervisor
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (405) 521-6734; e-mail: Esther.Houser@OKDHS.org
• Attorney General: call the Adult Abuse Hotline toll-free at (800) 522-3511

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Oregon

• Adult Protective Services: call (503) 945-5921 or toll-free (800) 232-3020 (in state only)
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (503) 378-6533 or toll-free (800) 522-2602
• Attorney General: call (503) 378-4400

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Pennsylvania

• Adult Protective Services: call the statewide elder abuse hotline toll-free at (800) 490-8505 or contact your Area Agency on Aging
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (717) 783-8975; or contact your local ombudsman
• Attorney General: call the Attorney General's Elder Abuse Hotline toll-free at (866) 623-2137 (in state only)

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Rhode Island

• Adult Protective Services: call (401) 462-0555
• Call the Home Care Ombudsman at (401) 785-3340
• Attorney General: call (401) 222-2566 or (401) 274-4400, ext. 2269, to report Medicaid fraud, patient abuse or neglect, or drug diversion

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South Carolina

• Adult Protective Services: call (803) 898-7318 or contact a local Department of Social Services office
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (803) 734-9898 or call the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging toll-free at (800) 868-9095 or (803)734-9900
• Attorney General: call the Medicaid Fraud Unit at (803) 734-3660 or toll-free (888) NO CHEAT (888-662-4238)

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South Dakota

• Adult Protective Services: call (605) 773-3656 or toll-free (866) 854-5465; or contact your local Department of Social Services office
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (605) 773-3656 or toll-free (866) 854-5465
• Attorney General: call the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (605) 773-4102

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Tennessee

• Adult Protective Services: call (888) APS-TENN (888-277-8366) to report abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older person; call the Commission on Aging and Disability at (615) 741-2056
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (615) 741-2056, ext. 122, or toll-free (877) 236-0013; e-mail: jerry.blasingame@state.tn.us; or contact your area ombudsman
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: contact the Medicaid Fraud Report Unit at (800) 433-5454

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Texas

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 252-5400
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (512) 438-4356 or toll-free (800) 252-2412
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (512) 463-2011; or e-mail: mfcu@oag.state.tx.us

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Utah

• Aging and Adult Services: call (801) 264-7669 or toll-free (800) 371-7897
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (801) 538-3910; or e-mail: kfbailey@utah.gov
• Attorney General: call (800) 371-7897

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Vermont

• Adult Protective Services: call toll-free (800) 564-1612 (in state only) or (802) 241-2345
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (802) 863-5620 or toll-free (800) 747-5022
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit at (802) 241-4440

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Virginia

• Adult Protective Services: call the 24-hour toll-free APS hotline at (888) 832-3858
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (804) 565-1600; e-mail: gshirley@thev4a.org; or find your local ombudsman
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit toll-free at (800) 371-0824

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Washington

• Adult Protective Services: call the 24-hour toll-free EndHarm hotline at (866) 363-4276; find the local Adult Protective Services office in your county
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (800) 562-6078 about abuse in nursing homes, adult family homes or boarding homes; call toll-free (800) 562-6028 for the Washington State Ombudsman; call (206) 623-0816 for the King County ombudsman
• Attorney General: call toll-free (866) 363-4276

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West Virginia

• Adult Protective Services: call the 24-hour hotline at (800) 352-6513 or find your local Department of Health and Human Resources office
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (304) 558-3317; e-mail: info@boss.state.wv.us; or find a local ombudsman here
• Attorney General: call the Attorney General's consumer hotline toll-free at (800) 368-8808

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Wisconsin

• Adult Protective Services: find your local elder abuse agency here
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call toll-free (800) 815-0015; or find your local ombudsman
• Attorney General: call the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (608) 266-9222

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Wyoming

• Adult Protective Services: call (307) 777-3602; or find your local Family Services Field Office
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call (307) 322-5553
• Attorney General: contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit hotline at (800) 378-0345 (in state only)

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