To report elder abuse in New Jersey:

• New Jersey Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State: (800) 792-8820
  • Out of State: (609) 943-3473
  • E-mail: acs@doh.state.nj.us
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse 
  • In-State: (800) 792-8820
  • Out of State: (609) 943-3473
  • E-mail: acs@doh.state.nj.us

NJ: What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is a growing problem in New Jersey, where the elderly fall victim of physical abuse, financial abuse or exploitation, neglect or self-neglect.

Spotting Elder Abuse:

The key to identifying abuse is to be on the lookout for things that are out of the ordinary.  Some of these signs and symptoms include:

• Bruises, cuts or broken bones that lacks adequate explanation by the elder or nursing home care provider;
• Malnutrition and/or dehydration;
• Excessive cases of fear, anxiety or isolation from others;
• Increased inability to pay for basic necessities such as food, water or medicine

To report elder abuse in New Hampshire:

• New Hampshire Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care - (800) 442-5640
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse  – (800) 351-1888

Elder abuse is a growing problem in New Hampshire.  Many cases of abuse go unreported as elderly victims are too afraid, ill or unwilling to admit that he/she is being abused.  It is up to the people around elders to detect and report elder abuse immediately to the appropriate authorities.

How Can I Spot Elder Abuse?

There are many symptoms and signs of elder abuse.  Some of the signs of physical or financial abuse or neglect when an elder:

• Fails to explain or provide conflicting explanations  for bruises, welts, burns or broken bones;
• Appears to suffer from malnutrition or dehydration;
• Becomes increasingly withdrawn or isolated;
• Fails to pay monthly bills or loses ownership of personal property such as TVs, jewelry, automobile, real estate

What Can I do to Prevent Elder Abuse?

There are many ways to help prevent or stop elder abuse or exploitation in New Hampshire.  Some of the ways include:

• Visiting the elderly person regularly and speaking with him or her in a private setting;
• Becoming more observant and listening carefully to the elder and/or actions of nursing home caregivers
• Speaking out when you identify anything suspcious and addressing it to the appropriate authorities immediately

To report elder abuse in Nevada:

• Nevada Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State – (800) 922-5757
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State – (800) 922-5757
• All Reports Made from Outside the Nevada area:
  • Carson City Region - (775) 687-4210
  • Elko Region - (775) 738-1966
  • Las Vegas Region - (702) 486-3545
  • Reno Region - (775) 688-2964

 Anyone who witnesses or suspects elder abuse in Nevada, should report it to local authorities at the number listed above.  If the elder is in immediate danger, call 911 immediately.

What are Signs of Elder Abuse?

Financial: Unusual activity on bank accounts, unauthorized use of credit cards or checks and/or improper transfer of real property.

Physical: Bruises, bite marks, lacerations and/or broken bones.  Additionally, fear, depression and anxiety are possible signs of abuse.

Neglect or Self-Neglect:  Elder appears to suffer from malnutrition and/or dehydration or elder has excessive body odor.

To report elder abuse in Nebraska:

• Nebraska Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State – (800) 652-1999
  • Out of State – (402) 595-1324
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State – (800) 652-1999
  • Out of State -  (402) 595-1324

Elder Abuse: Signs and Symptoms

There are three categories of elder abuse: physical, financial exploitation and neglect or self-neglect.

• Physical Abuse
  • Does the elder provide inconsistent explanations for injuries?
  • Are injuries properly cared for?
  • Does the elder appear to suffer from malnutrition and/or dehydration?
• Financial Exploitation
  • Is someone withholding money from an elder?
  • Is someone using the elder’s checks or credit cards without the elder’s permission?
  • Do the bank statements agree with the elder’s life style?
  • Are bills being paid on time?
• Self Neglect or Neglect
  • Does the elder live in unsanitary conditions?
  • Does the elder have adequate amounts of food and water?
  • Is the elder being properly treated for his/her medical conditions or injuries?

If you think that an elderly person is being abused, contact Nebraska’s elder abuse hot-line at the number listed above.  Nebraska’s Adult Protection Service is not allowed to reveal the identify of the person who makes an elder abuse report to the elderly victim or alleged perpetrator.

To report elder abuse in Montana:

• Montana Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State – (800) 551-3191
  • Out of State – (800) 444-4077
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State – (800) 551-3191
  • Out of State – (800) 444-4077

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse comes in various forms. The forms include physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect or self-neglect and financial exploitation.

Montana: Types of Elder Abuse

Physical Abuse – punching, hitting, spanking, shoving and biting.

Emotional Abuse – ignoring, humiliating and mocking.

Financial Exploitation- improper use of an elder’s money and/or personal assets.

Neglect - Failure to provide adequate care for the elder. Adequate care can include food, water, shelter and medicine.

To report elder abuse in Minnesota:

• Minnesota Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care - (800) 333-2433
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse  - (800) 333-2433

What are the types of Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse in Minnesota is divided into three categories: Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation.

What are the warning signs of Elder Abuse?

While it may be difficult for an elder to communicate that he/she is being abused, there are some signs/symptoms that you can look for that may uncover elder abuse.

• Abuse
  • Physical Abuse: Skin discoloration or bruises, cuts, scars or burns.
  • Emotional Abuse: Excessive depression, sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal
  • Sexual Abuse: Bruises around the elder’s genital area
• Financial Exploitation: Unpaid bills, transfer of personal property such as real estate
• Neglect:  Poor hygiene or failure to take necessary medicine.  Excessive hunger or thirst

To report elder abuse in Massachusetts:

• Massachusetts Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State - (800) 462-5540
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State - (800) 922-2275
  • Out of State – (800) 243-4636

Elder Abuse Definition

Elder abuse is when an individual physically, financially, emotionally or sexually, harm, assault, or exploit an elderly person.  Neglect is also another form of abuse, where an individual fails to provide adequate care for an elderly person.

Who Should Report Elder Abuse in Massachusetts?

Anyone can and should report elder abuse whenever it is witnessed or suspected.  If the elder is in immediate danger, you should call 911. 

What Happens when I contact the Elder Abuse Hotline?

When you contact the hotline, you will need to provide information on the elderly victim, the type of abuse, caregiver’s name and contact information (if applicable) and other pertinent information regarding the case.

Calls made to the hotline can be made confidential.  Neither the elder nor the caregiver will be told your name.

To report elder abuse in Michigan:

• Massachusetts Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State - (800) 882-6006
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State - (800) 996-6228

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is commonly divided into the following three categories:

• Phyiscal Abuse / Neglect
• Psychological Abuse
• Financial Abuse / Exploitation

Physical abuse or neglect occurs when an elderly individual is physically harmed.  Physical harm can come from actions such as hitting, biting, slapping, punching and pushing.  Physical harm can also be a result of neglect.  This occurs when an elderly person is not properly cared for and lacks basic necessities such as food, water and hygiene.

Psychological abuse, or emotional abuse, is a result of humiliating, ignoring, taunting, and/or manipulating an elder person.

Financial abuse, or exploitation, is a result of the improper use of an elderly person’s money and/or real property such as real estate.

To report elder abuse in Maryland:

• Maryland Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State - (800) 917-7383
  • Out of State – (410) 767-1091
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State - (800) 917-7383
  • Out of State – (800) 677-1116

Who Should Report Abuse?

Anyone who witnesses or suspects any cases of elder abuse should report it immediately to the appropriate number listed above. 

Who is Required to Report Elder Abuse in Maryland?

Maryland law requires law enforcement agents, human service professionals and health care practitioners to report

Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse

• Financial Abuse
  • Discrepancies between an elderly person’s financials and/or standard of living
  • Missing personal items such as purses, wallets, jewelery, etc.
• Neglect
  • Poor hygiene or body odor
  • Bed sores
  • Lack of food and/or water
• Emotional Abuse
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Withdrawal
  • Fearful
• Physical Abuse
  • Broken bones
  • Sprains
  • Burns
  • Bruises/skin discoloration

To report elder abuse in Maine:

• Maine Nursing Home Elder Abuse or Long Term Care
  • In-State - (800) 383-2441
  • Out of State – (207) 287-9312
• Domestic/Community Elder Abuse
  • In-State – (800) 624-8404
  • Out of State – (207) 532-5047; after hours – (207)287-6083

Elder abuse in Maine often goes unreported. It is estimated that there are nearly 12,000 cases of elder abuse in Maine every year. However, in 2003, the Adult Protection Services received only 2,000 case referrals.

Maine has over 15,000 certified beds through licensed facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living centers. 

Common Signs of Elder Abuse

• Physical Abuse  – broken bones, bruises, cuts/abrasions and scars
• Exploitation - unusual bank account activity, transfer of real property and subscription payments made to questionable organizations
• Neglect - malnutrition, dehydration and poor hygiene