However, many other public and private agencies and organizations are actively involved in efforts to protect vulnerable older persons from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Depending on the state law governing elder abuse, the exact roles and functions of these agencies vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. The APS community is relatively small compared with the groups working for other human service programs, but it is composed of a few thousand professionals, nationwide. In most jurisdictions, either APS, the Area Agency on Aging, or the county Department of Social Services is designated as the agency to receive and investigate allegations of elder abuse and neglect. If the investigators find abuse or neglect, they make arrangements for services to help protect the victim.
Calls are confidential.
In states whose statutes make elder abuse a crime, there may be a requirement to report suspected abuse to a law enforcement agency. Since passage of the 1975 Older Americans Act, every state has had a long term care ombudsman program to investigate and resolve nursing home complaints. The program has also been working toward extension of services to board and care facilities and, in some areas, to those who receive professional care at home. Check with your State Unit on Aging or Area Agency on Aging to see if the long term care ombudsman program in your area can help in any given instance. Often people who want to help older relatives or friends don't live near them.