Adult Protective Services
To report suspected Elder Abuse, call the Massachusetts
Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275
Click here to file online Protective Service Reports
If the Situation is an Emergency, Dial 9-1-1 immediately.
Help SeniorCare Stop Elder Abuse!
Elder abuse is “an act or omission which results in a serious physical or emotional injury to an elderly person or financial exploitation of an elderly person; or the failure, inability or resistance of an elderly person to provide for himself or herself one or more of the necessities essential for physical and emotional well-being without which the elderly person would be unable to safely remain in the community.” The Commonwealth recognizes anyone age 60 or over as an elder.
How to Report Elder Abuse, Neglect, or Self-Neglect:
Anyone can report elder abuse. If you are concerned about an older adult (age 60 or older), and have reason to believe he/she is a victim of elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect or financial exploitation call the Massachusetts-based Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275. Every community in Massachusetts is covered by a designated Protective Service Agency. All reports will be referred to and handled by the designated Protective Service Agency. The agency will determine if an investigation is warranted. If needed, the situation will be investigated and the best course of action to alleviate the risk will be determined.
Reporting Online Instead of via Phone Hotline
Please keep the following in mind when you are filing a Protective Services report . . .
- You should never use the online reporting system for an emergency situation that requires immediate attention. For emergencies please call 1-800-922-2275 and file a verbal report.
- If you file an Elder Abuse report online, you DO NOT need to file a report over the phone or fax in a mandated reporter form. Additionally, if you file a verbal report over the phone you DO NOT need to file a report online.
- The Online Reporting System is for the Elder Protective Services Program covered by M.G.L Ch. 19A administered by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. You CANNOT use this system to make reports to the Department of Public Health or the Disabled Persons Protection Commission.
Click here to file online Protective Service Reports
Reportable Conditions – What is Elder Abuse?
Physical Abuse. The non-accidental infliction of serious injury to an elderly person.
Sexual Abuse. Sexual assault, rape, sexual misuse or exploitation of an elder, or threats of sexual abuse with intent and capacity to carry out such threats.
Emotional Abuse. The non-accidental infliction of serious emotional injury to an elderly person.
Neglect. Failure of a caretaker to provide one or more of the necessities essential for physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being, such as food, clothing, shelter, social contact, personal care and medical care which results in serious physical or emotional injury, or severe self-neglect.
Self-neglect. The failure or refusal of an elder to provide for himself or herself one or more necessities essential for physical or emotional well-being, which has resulted in, or where there is a substantial reason to believe that such failure or refusal will immediately result in serious harm, and prevents the elder from remaining safely in the community.
Financial Exploitation. The non-accidental act or omission by another person, without the consent of the elder, causing substantial monetary/property loss to the elder and gain to another which otherwise might benefit the elder.
STOP ELDER ABUSE! Who Should Report?
Anyone who suspects elder abuse or neglect should report it. Some individuals are mandated to report, and are subject to a $1,000 fine for failure to do so. If you are a mandated reporter, you must complete a Mandated Reporter Form within 48 hours of your verbal report via the central intake unit which is 800-922-2275.
Mandated reporters who are subject to fine for failure to report include:
Any physician, physician assistant, medical intern, dentist, nurse, family counselor, probation officer, social worker, police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, licensed psychologist, coroner, registered physical therapist, registered occupational therapist, osteopath, podiatrist, director of a council on aging, outreach worker employed by a council on aging, executive director of a licensed home health agency or executive director of a homemaker service agency or manager of an assisted living residence who has Reasonable Cause to Believe that an Elder is suffering from or has died as a result of a Reportable Condition.
Mandated reporters (not subject to fine):
Any executive director of a Home Care Program who has Reasonable Cause to Believe that an Elder is suffering from or has died as the result of a Reportable Condition. Any homemaker, home health aide, case manager or other staff of a Home Care Program, licensed home health agency, or homemaker service agency who is not a licensed social worker, nurse, licensed psychologist, or family counselor, who has Reasonable Cause to Believe that an Elder is suffering, or has died from a Reportable Condition, shall be included in this category.
Mandated Reporter Form/instructions (PDF)
Mandated Reporter Form/Instructions (RTF format)
Additional Links:
Massachusetts Elder Affairs Protective Services Program