Your aunt's new 'friend' has moved into her house, and her bank account is draining fast. When you visit, she seems frightened and thinner. You're worried, but you don't know whether you'd be overreacting by calling anyone, or what would happen if you did.
Adult Protective Services exists for situations like this. Here's how it works.
What APS is
Adult Protective Services is a social services program provided by state and local governments for older adults and adults with disabilities who need help because of abuse, neglect, self-neglect or financial exploitation1. In every state, APS receives and responds to reports of adult maltreatment and works with clients and other professionals to maximize the person's safety and independence1. Most APS programs serve both older and younger vulnerable adults1.
APS is a social services agency, not the police. Its goal is to help the person be safe, often by connecting them with services, rather than to punish anyone. When a crime is suspected, APS may work with law enforcement.
When to call APS
Contact APS if you suspect an older adult or adult with a disability is being harmed or can't care for themselves. Common situations include physical abuse, such as unexplained bruises or injuries; emotional abuse, such as threats or isolation; sexual abuse; neglect by a caregiver, such as being left without food, medicine or hygiene; self-neglect, when a person can't meet their own basic needs; and financial exploitation, such as stolen money, forged checks or pressure to change a will. See signs of elder abuse and elder financial abuse.
You don't need proof to make a report. A reasonable concern is enough. APS will decide whether and how to investigate.
If someone is in danger now
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first. That includes a person who is being hurt, threatened, or is seriously ill or injured. After the emergency is handled, report to APS so they can follow up. If the person lives in a nursing home or assisted living, you can also contact the long-term care ombudsman and the state licensing agency.
How to report
Contact your state or local APS program; the APS Technical Assistance Resource Center can help you find the program that serves your area3. Your local area agency on aging can also connect you4. Under federal rules, state APS programs must accept reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using several reporting methods, including at least one online option2.
Be ready to share the person's name, address and age, what you've seen or heard, when it happened, who may be causing harm, and any immediate safety concerns. It's fine if you don't know everything. You can usually ask to keep your identity confidential.
What happens after a report
APS screens each report to decide whether it fits its rules. If it does, a caseworker will contact the adult. Federal rules require APS programs to have at least a two-tier response system based on risk: when there is immediate risk of death, irreparable harm, or significant loss of income or assets, the response should be in person no later than 24 hours after the report; for non-immediate risk, the response should come within 7 calendar days2.
The caseworker usually visits the person, often unannounced, talks with them privately, and may speak with family, doctors, banks or others. They assess the person's safety, health, ability to make decisions, and needs.
Services APS can offer
If APS finds the person needs help, it can arrange or connect them to services such as home care, meals, medical care, mental health services, help with money management, emergency housing, or legal help. APS may help arrange a representative payee for someone who can't manage benefits. In emergencies, APS can seek court orders or emergency placement when allowed by law2.
Services are often voluntary. APS tries to use the least restrictive options that keep the person safe while respecting their independence.
The right to make choices
Adults who have the capacity to make decisions have the right to refuse APS services, even if family disagrees with their choices. This can be frustrating, especially with self-neglect or a parent who insists on living alone. APS generally needs the adult's consent before sharing information about the case2. If a person lacks capacity and is at serious risk, APS may seek legal steps, such as guardianship, through the courts. See guardianship of an elderly parent and when a parent insists on living alone.
What family should expect
APS caseworkers may not be able to tell you what they found, because of confidentiality rules. That can feel frustrating if you made the report. You can ask whether the case was opened and how to share more information. If the situation gets worse, report again. Keep notes of dates, what you saw, and who you spoke with.
If a family member is the alleged abuser, APS will still investigate. Families sometimes worry a report will break relationships, but the person's safety comes first.
Self-neglect
Self-neglect is one of the most common reasons for APS reports. Signs include a home that's unsafe or unsanitary, lack of food or heat, untreated medical problems, unpaid bills leading to shutoffs, or hoarding. Self-neglect often comes with dementia, depression or other illness. APS can assess the situation and offer help. See hoarding in the elderly and depression in the elderly.
Financial exploitation
Financial exploitation includes theft, scams, misuse of a power of attorney, forged signatures and undue pressure to hand over money or property. APS can investigate, and serious cases may also be reported to law enforcement. Contact the bank right away about suspicious activity. The Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative has resources for victims and families5. See when an elderly parent is scammed.
Abuse in care facilities
Who investigates abuse in nursing homes and assisted living depends on the state. APS handles some facility cases; in others, the state licensing or survey agency investigates. The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents. When in doubt, report to all of them and let them coordinate. See nursing home resident rights.
Who must report
In many states, certain professionals, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, bank employees and care staff, are required by law to report suspected abuse. Rules vary by state, including which professions are covered and how quickly they must report. Anyone can report, and most states protect people who report in good faith from legal liability.
Prevention
Staying in regular contact is one of the best protections. Isolated older adults are at higher risk. Visit or call often, get to know your parent's caregivers and neighbors, watch bank statements if your parent agrees, and set up legal documents with trusted people. See power of attorney.
How reporting differs by state
Each state runs its own APS program, and the details differ. In some states APS is part of the state human services or aging department; in others, counties run it. Some states have one statewide hotline and online report form, while others route calls to county offices. Federal rules require every state program to take reports around the clock and offer more than one way to report, including at least one online option2. The APS Technical Assistance Resource Center lists state programs and contact information3.
States also decide who APS serves and investigates. States define which adults are eligible and which alleged perpetrators fall under APS, though they may not narrow the federal scope of eligible adults2. Some states send reports about abuse in nursing homes to the licensing agency instead of APS. Tribal nations may run their own programs. Report to the program where your parent lives, not where you live; if you're unsure, call and they can tell you which program to contact.
How an investigation ends
After investigating, APS makes a finding: a decision about whether the evidence is or isn't sufficient under state law to show that maltreatment or self-neglect occurred2. States must set a reasonable time frame for completing investigations, review open cases on a schedule, and document the safety and risk assessment at closure and the reason the case was closed2.
A case may close because the person is safe, because services are in place, because the person refused help, or because the report wasn't substantiated. An unsubstantiated finding doesn't mean you were wrong to call; it may mean there wasn't enough evidence. If problems continue, make a new report with new details. In serious cases, APS may also refer the matter to police or prosecutors.
Your parent's rights during an APS case
Federal rules require APS to respect the autonomy and authority of clients to make their own life choices, respect their views about safety and quality of life, and develop any service plan in consultation with them2. APS must rely on the least restrictive alternatives, and may seek emergency protective action, such as court orders or out-of-home placement, only as a last resort to protect life and safety2. APS may petition for guardianship only after less restrictive options have been considered2.
APS must keep the identities of the adult and the reporter confidential and generally needs the adult's consent before sharing case information2. Your parent can decline to answer questions, refuse services, and ask for a family member or advocate to be present. If there are questions about your parent's capacity to decide, the caseworker will assess that as part of the case.
What families can do
While APS works the case, you can help. Share new information with the caseworker as it comes up. If you hold power of attorney, ask the bank to freeze suspicious activity or add alerts. Help your parent see their doctor, since a medical exam can document injuries, weight loss or cognitive changes. Line up supports APS may recommend, like meals, home care or a move, so they're ready if your parent agrees. See managing a parent's finances.
If APS can't act because your parent declines help, stay involved. Keep visiting, keep notes, and report again if things get worse. If you believe your parent lacks capacity, talk with an elder law attorney about options.
Preparing before you call
Write down what you've observed, with dates, times and details: injuries, statements the person made, changes in behavior, missing money or property, unpaid bills, or unsafe living conditions. Note the names and contact information of anyone involved, the person's doctors, and other family members. If you have photos or copies of suspicious bank statements and it's safe to keep them, hold on to them. Don't confront the person you suspect, since that can put the older adult at greater risk or lead to evidence disappearing.
If the older adult has dementia, mention it, along with who holds power of attorney or other legal authority. That helps the caseworker plan the visit.
When the caregiver is struggling
Sometimes neglect happens because a family caregiver is overwhelmed, not because they mean harm. If you're a caregiver and worry you're not able to give safe care, reaching out for help is a responsible step. APS, the area agency on aging, and respite programs can help. See caregiver burnout and respite care.
An example
Sam called APS after noticing large withdrawals from his aunt's account and that she seemed afraid of the man living with her. A caseworker visited within a few days, met with his aunt alone, and reviewed her bank records with her permission. APS helped her get a protective order, moved her accounts to require a second signature, and arranged home-delivered meals and a weekly visit from a caseworker. The case was referred to police for the theft. This is an illustration; APS processes vary by state.
