Top Elder Abuse Resources for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home residents deserve high-quality care, yet far too many get less than the best. Some residents may get inadequate care that leads to serious injuries or suffer from nursing home abuse when staff members behave improperly.
Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help nursing home residents.
For all life-threatening emergencies: call 911 – it can save a life.
Other resources for elderly victims of abuse include:
- Adult Protective Services
- Long-term care ombudsmen
- Medicare’s Care Compare tool
- The National Council on Aging
- State and local elder advocacy groups
If you or a loved one might have suffered from nursing home abuse, don’t wait. Nursing home abuse and neglect can lead to serious injuries or even death. Explore resources to protect your loved ones and pursue justice if they were harmed.
Resources for Reporting Nursing Home Abuse
Reporting nursing home abuse is key to keeping your loved one from suffering further harm. Report abuse or neglect to 911 if an older person’s life is in danger or a crime has been committed.
You can also report nursing home abuse to Adult Protective Services, long-term care ombudsmen, and elder abuse attorneys in your area.
Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates cases of potential elder abuse. Investigators can check in with nursing home residents and older people getting in-home medical care, or those living with adult caregivers. Each state has its own APS branch.
You can contact the APS branch in your state if you believe an older person has suffered from nursing home neglect, abuse, or mistreatment. From there, a member of the APS can start an investigation to keep the senior safe.
Long-Term Care Ombudsmen
Long-term care ombudsmen in each state are responsible for investigating elder abuse in nursing homes and other living facilities. Nursing home ombudsmen also work with residents and their loved ones to resolve disputes or complaints related to senior care.
The long-term care ombudsman program is run by the Administration on Aging (AoA). Currently, over 7,300 staff and volunteers work across the country to keep older adults safe.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Reporting nursing home abuse to attorneys is important. Nursing home lawyers work to hold abusers responsible for their wrongdoings.
Further, attorneys can pursue financial compensation so you can cover medical expenses that stem from abuse or neglect. They also can file cases before deadlines called statutes of limitations run out which put time limits on taking action and getting compensation.
Nursing home abuse lawyers are standing by to help you right now. Get a free case review to find out your eligibility.
Helpful Websites
List of National Nursing Home Resources for the Elderly
Nationwide programs are in place to help nursing home residents stay safe as they age. Learn about national elder abuse resources below.
AARP
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a nonprofit organization that spreads awareness about issues older people face.
AARP offers a wide range of resources to help older people, including financial tips, well-being and caregiving advice, and how to spot signs of elder abuse.
Care Compare
Medicare’s Care Compare tool allows people to check the ratings of every nursing home in the country that receives government funding.
It ranks nursing homes on a five-star scale in categories like staffing, quality measures, and more. It also provides reports on recent health inspections and citations for each home.
Eldercare Locator
This national service helps with finding elder abuse resources. The Eldercare Locator can be reached by phone from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. Call 1-800-677-1116. The Eldercare Locator is also available online 24/7.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a national organization where members deliver food to older Americans. Meals are tailor-made to address any health conditions the older person may have.
Further, Meals on Wheels representatives can perform wellness checks to make sure the older person is staying safe, happy, and healthy.
National Center on Elder Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is the official hub for violence and exploitation against seniors.
It includes key information on this national problem and additional resources and support services to access if you or someone you love is being abused.
National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) was established in 1950 to help older people age with dignity. The NCOA’s official site provides tips on healthy aging, preventing falls, getting Medicare benefits, and much more.
The NCOA also offers financial tips and a tool to check for benefits that older people may qualify for.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
This 24/7 hotline is available for all victims of domestic violence, including older people. Call 1-800-779-7233 to reach this hotline. A teletypewriter (TTY) line for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment is also available at 1-800-787-3224.
Nursing Home Resources for the Elderly by State
Each state has its own elder abuse resources, agencies, and community-based services. If you think elder abuse is occurring, you can get in touch with agencies in your area to report your concerns.
Alabama
- Neglect & Exploitation Adult Abuse Hotline: 1-800-458-7214
- Complaint Line – Assisted Living Facilities: 1-866-873-0366
- Complaint Line – Health Care Facilities: 1-800-356-9596
- Alabama Adult Protective Services
- Alabama Medicaid Agency
Alaska
- Alaska Protective Services: 907-269-3666 (local) or 1-800-478-9996 (out of state)
- Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 907-334-4480 (local) / 1-800-730-6393 (out of state)
- Office of Elder Fraud & Assistance: 907-334-5989
- Alaska Adult Protective Services
- Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Office of Elder Fraud & Assistance
- Alaska Department of Law
Arizona
- Arizona Adult Protective Services: 1-877-767-2385 or 1-877-815-8390 (TTD)
- Arizona Area Agencies on Aging
- Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Arizona Office of Long-Term Care Licensing
For nursing home and living facility complaints, contact the local Area Agency on Aging in your county:
- Maricopa: 1-602-264-4357 or www.aaaphx.org
- Pima: 1-520-790-7262 or www.pcoa.org
- Yavapaid, Coconin, Navajo & Apache: 928-774-1895 or www.nacog.org
- Mohave, La Paz, Yuma: 1-800-782-1886 or www.wacog.com
- Pinal, Gila: 1-520-836-2758 or www.pgcsc.org
- Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz: 1-520-432-2528 or www.seago.org
- Inter-Tribal Council/Region 8: 1-602-258-4822 or www.itcaonline.com
Arkansas
- Arkansas Adult Protective Services: 1-800-482-8049
- Office of Long Term Care Investigations (Pulaski): 501-682-8425
- Office of Long Term Care Investigations (other): 1-800-582-4887
- Arkansas Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-332-4443
- Arkansas Adult Protective Services
- Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services
- Arkansas Office of Attorney General
California
- California APS Hotline: 1-833-401-0832 (Enter your ZIP code when prompted)
Additional resources can be found online:
Colorado
- Colorado Area Agency on Aging: 1-303-480-6700 (Denver) or 1-866-959-3017 (other)
- Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-303-480-6734
- Elder Refugee Program: 1-303-480-6729
- Veterans-Directed Home & Community Services: 1-303-480-6755
- Colorado Adult Protective Services
- Colorado Long Term Care Ombudsman
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Facilities Division
Connecticut
- Protective Services for the Elderly: 1-888-385-4225 (local) or 1-800-203-1234 (out of state)
- United Way 24-Hour Help Line: 2-1-1
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-866-388-1888 (local) or 1-860-424-5200
- Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging
- Connecticut Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity
- Connecticut Office of Attorney General
- Prudence Crandall Center (Domestic Violence Services)
Delaware
District of Columbia
- Adult Protective Services: (202) 724-5626 & 711 for TTY
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: (202) 724-7491
- Inspector General Office: (202) 727-2540
- DC Human Services Help Line: 311
- DC Adult Protective Services
- DC’s Inspector General Office
- DC Department of Health
- DC Department of Aging and Community Living
- DC Office of Attorney General
Florida
- Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 or 1-800-453-5145 (TTD)
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-888-831-0404
- Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337
- Department of Elder Affairs – Florida
- Florida Council on Aging
Georgia
- Georgia Adult Protective Services Hotline: 1-866-552-4464 and press 3
- Georgia Office of Regulatory Services: (404) 657-5726 or (404) 657-5728
- Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman: (866) 552-4464
- Georgia Adult Protective Services
- Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Georgia Department of Community Health
- Georgia Division of Aging Services
- Georgia Division of Aging Services Directory
- Georgia Council on Aging
Hawaii
- Hawaii Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-808-586-7268
- Hawaii Adult Protective Services
- Hawaii Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Hawaii Executive Office on Aging
- Hawaii Department of the Attorney General
Hawaii Adult Protective Services by Island:
- Oahu: 1-808-832-5115
- Maui/Molokai/Lanai: 1-808-243-5151
- East Hawaii (Hilo): 1-808-933-8820
- West Hawaii (Kau/Kona/Kohala/Kamuela): 1-808-327-6280
- Kauai: 1-808-241-3337
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
- Indiana State Hotline: 1-800-992-6978
- Indiana Adult Protective Services
- Long-Term Care Division: Indiana Department of Health
- Indiana Family & Social Services Administration, Division of Aging
- Indiana Elder Investment Fraud & Exploitation Resources
- Indiana Office of Attorney General Consumer Services Division
Iowa
- Iowa Abuse Hotline: 1-800-362-2178
- Iowa Nursing Home Complaint Hotline: 1-877-686-0027
- Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman: (866) 236-1430
- Iowa Department on Aging
- Iowa Department of Human Services – Dependent Adult Abuse
- Iowa Office of the Attorney General
Kansas
- Kansas Elder Abuse Hotline (APS): 1-800-922-5330 (Kansas) or 1-785-296-0044 (callers outside Kansas)
- Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-785-296-3017 or 1-877-662-8362 (toll free)
- Kansas Adult Protective Services
- Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Kansas Attorney General’s Office
Kentucky
- Kentucky Adult Protection Branch: 1-800-752-6200
- Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-372-2973 or 1-800-627-4702 (TTY)
- Kentucky Legal Helpline: 1-800-200-3633
- Kentucky Adult Protection Branch (Cabinet for Health & Family Services)
- Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Kentucky Office of Inspector General
- Kentucky Office of Attorney General
Louisiana
- Louisiana Adult Protective Services: 1-800-898-4910
- Louisiana Nursing Home Health Standards Complaints: 1-888-810-1819
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-866-632-0922
- Louisiana Adult Protective Services
- Louisiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Louisiana Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs
- Louisiana Office of Attorney General
Maine
- Adult Protective Services Hotline: 1-800-624-8404
- Maine Long-Term Care Complaint Hotline: 1-800-383-2441
- Adult Protective Services
- Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services
- Maine Office of Attorney General
Maryland
- Maryland Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-917-7383
- Maryland Nursing Home Care Licensure: 410-402-8201 or 1-877-402-8219
- Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-410-767-1100
- Maryland Adult Protective Services
- Maryland Long Term Care Ombudsman
- Maryland Department of Aging
- Maryland Office of Health Care Quality
- Maryland Office of Attorney General
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-922-2275
- Massachusetts LifePath Hotline: 1-800-243-4636
- Filing a Massachusetts Elder Abuse Report
- Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
- Massachusetts Office of Attorney General
Michigan
- Michigan 24/7 Abuse & Neglect Hotline: 1-855-444-3911
- Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-866-485-9393
- Michigan Adult Protective Services
- Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Michigan Department of Human Services—Abuse & Neglect
- Michigan Aging & Adult Services Agency
- Michigan Department of Attorney General
Minnesota
- Seniors LinkAge Line: 1-800-333-2433
- Minnesota Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-657-3591
- Minnesota Adult Protective Services
- Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Minnesota Department of Human Services Licensing
- Minnesota Office of Attorney General
Mississippi
- Mississippi Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-222-8000
- Mississippi Healthcare Facility Complaints: 1-800-227-7308
- Mississippi Division of Aging and Adult Services Hotline: 601-359-4915 Mississippi Vulnerable Person Abuse Hotline: 844-437-6282
- Mississippi Adult Protective Services
- Mississippi Division of Aging and Adult Services
- Mississippi Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Mississippi Office of Attorney General
Missouri
- Adult Abuse & Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-0210
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-309-3282
- Missouri Adult Protective Services
- Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
- Missouri Attorney General
Montana
- Adult Protective Services: (844) 277-9300
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-332-2272
- Montana Senior & Long Term Care Division: 1-406-444-4077
- Montana Adult Protective Services
- Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Montana Senior and Long Term Care Division
- Montana Department of Justice
Nebraska
- 24-Hour Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-652-1999
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-942-7830 (local) or 1-402-471-2307 (out of state)
- Nebraska Adult Protective Services
- Nebraska Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Nebraska HHS, Health Care Facilities & Services Complaints
- Nebraska State Unit on Aging
- Nebraska Office of Attorney General
Nevada
- Nevada Adult Protective Services
- Toll-Free Statewide: 1-888-729-0571
- Southern Nevada: 1-702-486-6930
- Nevada Adult Protective Services
- Nevada Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Nevada Aging & Disability Services Division
- Nevada Office of Attorney General
New Hampshire
- Adult Protective Services: 1-800-949-0470 (local) or 1-603-271-7014 (out of state)
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-442-5640 (local) or 1-603-271-4375 (out of state)
- New Hampshire Adult Protection Program
- New Hampshire Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services
- New Hampshire Department of Justice Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit
New Jersey
- Division of Aging Services: 1-800-792-8820
- Area Agency on Aging: 1-877-222-3737
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-877-582-6995
- New Jersey Adult Protective Services
- New Jersey Long Term Care Ombudsman
- New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing
- New Jersey Division of Aging Services
- New York Attorney General Office
New Mexico
- Adult Protective Services: 1-866-654-3219 or 1-505-476-4912
- New Mexico Health Facility Complaints: 1-800-752-8649
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman:
- Toll-Free: 1-866-451-2901
- Albuquerque: 1-866-842-9230
- Las Cruces/Roswell: 1-800-762-8690
- Santa Fe: 1-866-451-2901
- New Mexico Adult Protective Services
- New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department
- New Mexico Division of Health Improvement
New York
- Home Health Care Info & Complaints: 1-800-628-5972
- Nursing Home Complaint Hotline: 1-888-201-4563
- Adult Care & Assisted Living Complaints: 1-866-893-6772
- New York Adult Protective Services
- New York Office for the Aging
- New York Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
- New York Office of Attorney General
North Carolina
- North Carolina Aging and Adult Services Hotline: 919-855-3400 Division of Health Services Regulation’s Complaint Intake Unit: 1-800-624-3004 (in state) or 919-855-4500
- North Carolina Adult Protective Services
- North Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- North Carolina Aging and Adult Services
- North Carolina Department of Justice
North Dakota
- Aging Services Division: 1-800-462-5465
- North Dakota Elder Abuse Report Hotline: 1-855-462-5465 (Press 2)
- North Dakota Adult Protective Services
- North Dakota Long Term Care Ombudsman
- North Dakota Aging Services Division
- North Dakota Department of Health, Health Facilities
- North Dakota Office of Attorney General
Ohio
The Department of Jobs & Family Services investigate all elderly abuse cases in Ohio.
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Adult Abuse Line: 1-800-522-3511
- Oklahoma Safe Line (Domestic Violence): 1-800-522-7233
- Oklahoma Adult Protective Services
- Oklahoma Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Oklahoma Aging Services Division
Oregon
- Oregon Abuse Hotline: 1-800-503-7233
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-522-2602 or 1-503-378-6533 (out of state)
- Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Oregon Division of Seniors and People with Disabilities
- Oregon Department of Justice
Pennsylvania
- Adult Abuse Hotline: 1-800-490-8505
- Department of Aging Mandatory Abuse Reporting Hotline: 1-717-265-7887
- Home Health Complaints: 1-800-254-5164
- Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging
- Pennsylvania Department of Aging: Protective Services
- Pennsylvania Department of Aging: Ombudsman Program
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Rhode Island
- Elder Protective Services: 1-401-462-0555
- Rhode Island Ombudsman Hotline: 1-401-785-3340, ext. 12 or 1-401-785-3391
- Rhode Island Adult Protective Services
- Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- Rhode Island Long-Term Care Ombudsman
South Carolina
- Adult & Child Abuse Hotline: 1-888-227-3487
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-868-9095
- South Carolina Adult Protective Services
- South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
South Dakota
- Adult Services & Aging (local): 1-866-854-5465
- Adult Services & Aging (out of state): 1-605-773-3656
- South Dakota Adult Protective Services
- South Dakota Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- South Dakota Domestic Violence Program (PDF)
- South Dakota Office of Attorney General
Tennessee
- Tennessee Adult Protective Services
- Toll-Free: 1-888-277-8366
- Knoxville: 1-865-594-5685
- Chattanooga: 1-423-634-6624
- Nashville: 1-615-532-3492
- Memphis: 1-901-320-7220
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-615-253-5412
- Tennessee Adult Protective Services
- Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Tennessee Ombudsmen by District
- Tennessee Department of Health Abuse Registry
- Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability
- Tennessee Office of Attorney General
Texas
- Abuse & Neglect Hotline: 1-800-252-5400
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Hotline: 1-800-252-2412
- Texas Aging & Disability Resource Center
- Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Texas Office of Attorney General
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
- Elder Abuse 24-Hour Hotline: 1-888-832-3858
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-804-565-1600 or 1-800-552-5019
- Virginia Adult Protective Services
- Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Virginia DSS Domestic Violence Program
- Virginia Office of Attorney General
Washington
- Washington Abuse Hotline: 1-866-363-4276
- Residential Care Services Incident Reporting: 1-800-562-6078
- Washington Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
- Washington Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Washington Office of Attorney General
West Virginia
- West Virginia 24-Hour Abuse Hotline: 1-800-352-6513
- West Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-834-0598
- West Virginia Adult Protective Services
- West Virginia Long Term Care Ombudsman
- West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services
- West Virginia Office of Attorney General
Wisconsin
Wyoming
- Wyoming Department of Health: 1-866-571-0944 (toll free) or 1-307-777-7656
- Wyoming HD Aging Division: 1-307-777-7995
- Healthcare Facility Licensing: 1-307-777-7123
- Wyoming Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-307-777-8735
- Wyoming Adult Protective Services
- Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division
- Wyoming Department of Family Services
- Wyoming Office of Attorney General
Accessing Elder Abuse Resources
Nursing home resources for the elderly are important, especially in cases of abuse or neglect.
These resources can help older people and their families take action and stay safe. Some resources (such as nursing home abuse lawyers) can even hold abusers accountable and secure financial compensation for victims.
Remember: older people deserve the utmost respect. Nursing home and elder care resources are in place so vulnerable seniors can live out their golden years with the highest quality of life possible.
Contact our team to learn more about accessing nursing home resources and legal help after abuse or neglect has occurred.
FAQs on Nursing Home Resources for the Elderly
What resources are available for elderly patients in my area?
It’s likely that there are many resources for the elderly available near you. To get started, you can find Adult Protective Services branches by state.
You can also ask a long-term care ombudsman that visits your nursing home about local resources.
Are nursing home resources for the elderly free?
It depends on the service being offered, but many are free. For example, it costs nothing to work with a long-term care ombudsman or to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
For best results, make sure to ask if there’ll be any costs when looking into resources for the elderly.
What resources may be used to prevent elder abuse?
Calling 911, the APS, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and/or long-term care ombudsmen are all great ways to prevent elder abuse.
By contacting these resources, elder care advocates and/or law enforcement can step in to protect the vulnerable adult in question.
Who can help me find nursing home resources for the elderly?
Long-term care ombudsmen can help you find community resources for the elderly and address complaints of older people in nursing homes, whether it’s the quality of food or a possible case of abuse or neglect.
Our team can also help you find legal and financial resources if nursing home abuse or neglect has taken place. Get started with a free case review now.