Elder Abuse Resource Locator
Find elder abuse reporting resources, Adult Protective Services contacts, and elder law help near you.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergency concerns, the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can connect you to your state's Adult Protective Services agency. Resources below are available immediately, no need to describe your situation first.
If you're worried about a senior's safety, whether it's physical, emotional, or financial, the resources below can help. You don't need to know exactly what's happening to reach out, these agencies are used to helping people figure that out together.
Eldercare Locator
The right first call for suspected abuse when it's not an emergency. Can connect you to your state's Adult Protective Services (APS) agency.
Call 1-800-677-1116 eldercare.acl.gov →What kind of help do you need? These are just shortcuts — every option below leads to the same core resources.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
The primary agency investigating elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation reports. APS is administered at the state level, so there is no single national APS phone number — use the Eldercare Locator above to reach the correct state agency for any location.
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
A federally-funded resource and information clearinghouse (not a crisis line itself), providing information on recognizing abuse, state-specific reporting resources, and research.
ncea.acl.gov →Elder Law Attorney Referral
For financial exploitation or situations requiring legal action (guardianship concerns, power of attorney misuse, etc.). Your state or local bar association's elder law section can provide referrals; the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) also maintains a searchable directory.
naela.org →What counts as elder abuse?
Physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment are all recognized forms of elder abuse. It's not always obvious, even to the person experiencing it.
Elder abuse takes several forms, and it's not always obvious, even to the person experiencing it. It includes physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Adult Protective Services is the agency responsible for investigating these concerns, but since APS is run at the state level, there's no single national phone number, the Eldercare Locator is the reliable way to reach the right agency no matter where you or the person you're concerned about lives. If the concern involves money, unusual account activity, a new person suddenly involved in someone's finances, changes to a will or power of attorney that seem off, an elder law attorney can help evaluate the legal side of the situation, separate from any APS investigation. The National Center on Elder Abuse is a good starting point if you're not sure whether what you're seeing counts as abuse, since it offers plain information rather than requiring you to file a report just to learn more. None of these resources require you to have all the answers before reaching out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a senior is in immediate danger?
Call 911 right away.
How do I report suspected elder abuse that isn't an emergency?
Contact your state's Adult Protective Services (APS) agency. The Eldercare Locator, at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov, can connect you to the correct agency for any location.
What counts as elder abuse?
Physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment are all recognized forms of elder abuse.
Can I report elder abuse anonymously?
In most states, yes, though policies vary. Contact your state's Adult Protective Services agency directly for their specific reporting process.
What is the National Center on Elder Abuse?
A federally funded information resource, not a crisis line itself, providing education on recognizing abuse and connecting people to state-specific resources.
Where can I find an elder law attorney for financial exploitation concerns?
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) maintains a searchable directory at naela.org, or contact your state or local bar association's elder law section.
This tool provides general information and directs users to official resources. It does not investigate reports or provide legal advice. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergency concerns, contact your state's Adult Protective Services agency.