If you think that an older person is being mistreated, taken advantage of, or neglected, you need to do something. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
If the threat of danger is not immediate, try talking to the older person about your concerns. Encourage them to seek help. Offer your support and be respectful. Understand that these situations can be incredibly complicated. It can be very difficult for an older person to recognize that they are being mistreated. This is especially true if the situation involves a family member.
If the older person agrees to seek help, you can help them call Legal Services for Maine Elders at 1-800-750-5353 for free and confidential legal advice.
If the older person can’t or won’t seek help, you can report your concerns to Adult Protective Services at 1-800-624-8404. You do not have to prove anything; you just have to report what you are seeing and explain why you are concerned. If your suspicions are confirmed, the authorities will help get the older person to a safe place or set up the appropriate support services. If you aren't sure if you should or must report your concerns to Adult Protective Services, you could call A Helping Voice warm line through the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine at 1-207-805-5555.
Remember: If you are concerned for someone’s immediate safety, call 911!
State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) – Office of Aging and Disability Services
You can call and report your concerns to APS. APS provides and arranges for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults (age 18 and over) in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
1-800-624-8404 (Nationwide, 24 Hour, toll free)
Maine Relay 711 (TTY, 24/7)
Legal Services for Maine Elders
You can help the older person call the Legal Services for Maine Elders Helpline at 1-800-750-5353. Legal Services for Maine Elders provides free legal help to Maine residents who are 60 or older.
Sexual Violence Statewide Crisis and Support Line
Immediately following a sexual assault, take whatever steps you can to ensure the older person's safety. You may want to call the statewide sexual assault crisis and support line at 1-800-871-7741 or TTY 1-888-458-5599. When you call, you will be connected to someone nearby who can listen, offer support and information, and help you decide what you want to do next.
Domestic Violence Statewide Helpline
If the older person needs help with a domestic violence situation, call the Helpline at 1-866-843-4357. When you call, you will be connected to someone who can listen, offer emotional support and information, help you with safety planning and help you decide what to do next.
Area Agency on Aging
If you are concerned that the older person is not getting the care that they need, or if they need more support services, the local Area Agency on Aging can help set those up. You can help the older person call the local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771.
Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention
For more information about the different types of elder abuse, and the various agencies in Maine which are available to provide assistance, visit the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention’s website by clicking here.
The National Center on Elder Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a great resource for people interested in ending elder abuse. For more information on how to help someone you suspect is being abused, mistreated, taken advantage of, or neglected, visit the NCEA “Suspect Abuse” website by clicking here.
Maine Suicide Prevention Program - Hotline
If you are concerned about yourself or about someone else, call the crisis hotline at 1-888-568-1112. If you are not in Maine, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information, visit the Maine Suicide Prevention Program website by clicking here.