Welcome to the Elder Mistreatment (EM) & Elder Abuse Team's site.The purpose of this web site is to provide an electronic publication with databases that include the following: state elder abuse statistics, a description of state investigative agency structures, an annotated bibliography of elder abuse research publications, screening instruments, and a critique of elder abuse screening instruments.
Funding for this work was received from the National Library of Medicine Grant # 5 G13 LM008625, Project Title, “Historical Elder Abuse Data & Annotated bibliography.
Gerald J. Jogerst, MD
Mary Ristine Brodie Geriatrics Education Professor
Director, Geriatrics Fellowship
Senior Associate Head
gerald-jogerst@uiowa.edu
319-384-7704
Jeanette M. Daly, RN, PhD
Research Scientist
jeanette-daly@uiowa.edu
319-384-8995
Gretchen Schmuch, LISW
gretchen-schmuch@uiowa.edu
319-384-7560
State Historical Abuse Data
State historical elder abuse data was sought from each state adult/elder protective services administrator. Data received was provided in a format established by each state. No standardized language is used across states. Each state's profile has a category for report, investigations, and substantiations of abuse, type of abuse, source of complaint, characteristics of victim, alleged abuser's relationship to the elder person, alleged abuser's demographic characteristics, victim's living status/arrangement, and the victim's living site. If a cell is blank in the Excel form, the information was not available.
Some states provided data for all adults 18 years and older. In those cases, only persons 60 years and older were included in the state data.
Some states' provided data for victims who reside in institutional settings. In those cases, only persons living in the domestic setting were included in the state data.
Some states data is provided by fiscal year. The year data reported was the first year of the fiscal year. For example, if the fiscal year was 1996-1997, then in these reports, it was recorded as 1996.
Numerous terms were used for type of abuse, source of complaint, characteristics of victim, alleged abuser's relationship to the elder person, alleged abuser's demographic characteristics, victim's living status/arrangement, and the victim's living site. Terms, such as medical neglect, caregiver neglect, battery-verbal, battery-rape, exploitation-sexual, passive neglect, malnutrition, or cruel punishment, were collapsed for presentation using the following types of abuse: abandonment, confinement, emotional abuse, exploitation, general abuse, isolation, neglect, other, physical abuse, self-neglect, and sexual abuse.
If you have questions about the rationale for data categorization, please contact Jeanette Daly at jeanette-daly@uiowa.edu.
Actual Abuse Tool
Actual_Abuse_Tool.pdf
Actual_Abuse_Tool.doc
Brief Abuse Screen for the Elderly (BASE)
Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE)
Elder Abuse Suspicion Index © (EASI)
Elder Assessment Instrument (EAI)
Health, Attitudes Toward Aging, Living Arrangements, and Finances (HALF) Assessment
Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST)
Indicators of Abuse (IOA) Screen
Partner Violence Screen (PVS)
Questions to Elicit Elder Abuse
Risk of Abuse Tool
Risk_of_Abuse_Tool.pdf
Risk_of_Abuse_Tool.doc
Screen for Various Types of Abuse or Neglect (American Medical Association)
Suspected Abuse Tool
Suspected_Abuse.pdf
Suspected_Abuse.doc
Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale (VASS)
Instrument Psychometrics Summary
Instrument_Psychometrics_Summary.pdf
Instrument_Psychometrics_Summary.doc
| State | Organizational Structure, APS Website, and Hotline Number |
| Alabama | Department of Human Resources: Adult Protective Services Division dhr.alabama.gov 1-800-458-7214 |
| Alaska | Department of Health and Social Services: Division of Senior and Disabilities Services:APS www.hss.state.ak.us 1-800-478-9996 (in state), 1-907-269-3666 (outside of Alaska) |
| Arizona | Department of Economic Security: Division of Aging and Adult Services: APS des.az.gov 1-877-767-2385 |
| Arkansas | Department of Human Services: Division of Aging and Adult Services: Adult Protective Services www.aradultprotection.com 1-800-482-8049 |
| California | Health and Human Services Agency: Department of Social Services: Disability and Adult Programs Division: Adult Programs Branch: APS www.cdss.ca.gov California APS 2015.pdf |
| Colorado | Department of Human Services: Division of Aging and Adult Services: APS colorado.gov Colorado APS Intake Phone Numbers.pdf |
| Connecticut | Department of Social Services: Bureau of Aging, Community, and Social Work Services: Protective Services Unit: Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE) www.ct.gov 1-888-385-4225 (in state), 1-800-203-1234 (out of state) |
| Delaware | Department of Health and Social Services: Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities: Adult Protective Services Program www.dhss.delaware.gov 1-800-223-9074 |
| Florida | Department of Children and Families: Adult Services: Adult Protective Services Program www.myflfamilies.com 1-800-962-2873 |
| Georgia | Department of Human Resources: Division of Aging Services: APS aging.dhs.georgia.gov 1-866-552-4464 Press option "3" |
| Hawaii | Department of Human Services: Social Services Division: Adult and Community Care Services Branch humanservices.hawaii.gov Oahu: 1-808-832-5115, Hilo/Hamakua/Puna: 1-808-933-8820, Kona/Kohala/Kamuela/Kau: 1 808-327-6280, Kauai: 1-808-241-3337, Lanai/Molokai/Maui: 1-808-243-5151 |
| Idaho | Idaho Commission on Aging: aging.idaho.gov Area Agencies on Aging: APS www.idahoaging.com Area I (Coeur D'Alene) Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone 208-667-3179 or 1-800-786-5536 Area II (Lewiston) Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce 208-743-5580 or 1-800-877-3206 Area III (Boise) Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, Washington 208-332-1745 or 1-844-689-7562 Area IV (Twin Falls) Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls 208-736-2122 or 1-800-574-8656 Area V (Pocatello) Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, Power 208-233-4032 or 1-800-526-8129 Area VI (Idaho Falls) Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton 208-522-5391 or 1-800-632-4813 |
| Illinois | Department on Aging: Division of Older American Services: Bureau of Elder Rights: Elder Abuse and Neglect Program (in conjunction with Area Agencies on Aging) www.illinois.gov 1-866-800-1409 |
| Indiana | Family and Social Services Administration: Division of Aging: APS www.in.gov 1-800-992-6978 |
| Iowa | Department of Human Services: Division of Children and Family Services: APS dhs.iowa.gov 1-800-362-2178 |
| Kansas | Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services: APS www.dcf.ks.gov 1-800-922-5330 |
| Louisiana | Department of Health and Hospitals: Office of Aging and Adult Services: APS dhh.louisiana.gov 1-800-898-4910 |
| Maine | Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Elder Services: APS www.maine.gov 1-800-624-8404 |
| Maryland | Department of Human Resources: Community Services Administration: Office of Adult Services: APS dhr.maryland.gov/office-of-adult-services/ 1-800-917-7383 |
| Massachusetts | Executive Office of Elder Affairs: Aging Services Access Points: Protective Services Program www.mass.gov 1-800-922-2275 |
| Michigan | Department of Human Services: Individual and Family Services: Adult Programs: APS www.michigan.gov 1-855-444-3911 |
| Minnesota | Department of Human Services: Aging and Adult Services Division: Adult Protective Services Unit APS Website 1-844-880-1574 |
| Mississippi | Department of Human Services: Division of Family and Children's Services: APS www.mdhs.state.ms.us 1-800-222-8000 |
| Missouri | Department of Health and Senior Services: Division of Senior and Disability Services: APS health.mo.gov 1-800-392-0210 |
| Montana | Department of Public Health and Human Services: Senior Long-Term Care Division: Adult Protective Services Program dphhs.mt.gov 1-800-551-3191 (in state) |
| Nebraska | Health and Human Service System: Department of Services: Aging Services: APS dhhs.ne.gov 1-800-652-1999 (in state), 1-402-595-1324 (outside of Nebraska) |
| Nevada | Department of Health and Human Resources: Division for Aging Services: Elder Protective Services adsd.nv.gov Las Vegas / Clark County: 1-702-486-6930 Statewide / All Other Areas: 1-888-729-0571 |
| New Hampshire | Department of Health and Human Services: Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services: Adult Protection Program www.dhhs.state.nh.us 1-800-949-0470 (in state) or 1-603-271-7014 (outside of New Hampshire) |
| New Jersey | Department of Health and Senior Services: Division of Aging and Community Services: APS www.state.nj.us New Jersey Adult Protective Service Providers.pdf |
| New Mexico | Aging and Long-Term Services Department: Adult Protective Services Division www.nmaging.state.nm.us 1-866-654-3219 |
| New York | Office of Children and Family Services: Bureau of Adult Services: Protective Services for Adults ocfs.ny.gov 1-844-697-3505, Press Option 6 (within New York State only) Outside New York: contact the local county Department of Social Services APS. A free on-line official version of New York statutes is not available. |
| North Carolina | Department of Health and Human Services: Division of Aging and Adult Services: APS www.ncdhhs.gov Directory of North Carolina County APS.pdf |
| North Dakota | Department of Human Services: Aging Services Division: Vulnerable Adult Protective Services www.nd.gov 1-855-462-5465 |
| Ohio | Department of Aging: County Departments of Job and Family Services: Adult Protective Services Program jfs.ohio.gov 866-243-5678 |
| Oklahoma | Department of Human Services: Family Support Services Division: Adult Protective Services Unit www.tulsalibrary.org 1-405-521-3660 |
| Oregon | Department of Human Resources: Seniors and People with Disabilities Division: APS www.oregon.gov 1-855-503-7233 |
| Pennsylvania | Department of Aging: Area Agencies on Aging: Protective Services for Older Adults Program www.dhs.pa.gov 1-800-490-8505 |
| Rhode Island | Department of Elderly Affairs: Protective Services www.dea.ri.gov 1-401-462-0555 |
| South Carolina | Department of Social Services: Division of Adult Protective Services dss.sc.gov/abuseneglect/adult-protective-services/ 1-803-898-7318 |
| South Dakota | Department of Social Services: Division of Adult Services and Aging: Adult Protective Services Program dss.sd.gov 1-866-854-5465 |
| Tennessee | Department of Human Services: Division of Adult and Family Services: APS www.tn.gov/humanservices/article/adult-protective-services 1-888-277-8366 |
| Texas | Health and Human Services Commission: Department of Family and Protective Services: APS www.dfps.state.tx.us 1-800-252-5400 |
| Utah | Department of Human Services: Division of Aging and Adult Services: APS daas.utah.gov 1-800-371-7897 |
| Vermont | Agency of Human Services: Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living: Division of Licensing and Protection: Adult Protective Services Program www.dlp.vermont.gov 1-800-564-1612 |
| Virginia | Department of Social Services: Division of Family Services: APS www.dss.virginia.gov 1-888-832-3858 |
| Washington | Department of Social and Health Services: Aging and Disability Services Administration: APS www.dshs.wa.gov 1-866-363-4276 |
| West Virginia | Department of Health and Human Resources: Bureau for Children and Families: Office of Social Services: APS www.dhhr.wv.gov 1-800-352-6513 |
| Wisconsin | Department of Health and Family Services: Division of Supportive Living: Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care Resources: County Adult-at-Risk Agency www.dhs.wisconsin.gov Wisconsin Elder Adults Help Lines.pdf |
| Wyoming | Department of Family Services: Protective Services dfsweb.wyo.gov 1-307-777-3602 |
| Washington DC | Department of Human Services: Family Services Administration: APS dhs.dc.gov 1-202-541-3950 |
In September 2000, a research team at the University of Iowa was awarded a grant to investigate domestic elder abuse at the national level. This two-year award was made possible by funds from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The overall purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of state Adult Protective Service (APS) legislation on the implementation of the investigative system for elder abuse. One of the specific aims was to differentiate investigative structure and investigator characteristics at the reporting district level for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The following reports are individualized for each state that responded to the survey.
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Department of Human Resources Office of Adult Services.
Department of Administration, Adult Protective Services.
Dept. of Economic Security Aging & Adult Administration.
Department of Administration, Adult Protective Service.
Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services.
Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services.
Department of Social Services.
Dept. of Health and Social Services, Adult Protective Services.
Department of Children & Families, Adult Protective Services.
Department of Human Resource Office of Adult Services.
Department of Human Services.
Idaho Commission on Aging.
Illinois Department on Aging.
Family and Social Services Administration.
Iowa Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services.
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
Department for Social Services.
Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs.
Bureau of Elder And Adult Services.
Department of Human Services.
Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
Dept. of Human Services Aging and Adult Services Division.
Department of Human Services.
Department of Public Health and Human Services, Adult Protective Services.
Department of Health and Human Service System.
Division for Aging Services.
Department of Health and Human Services, Adult Protection Program.
Department of Health and Senior Services.
Children, Youth and Families Department.
Office of Children and Family Services, Bureau of Adult Services.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Department of Human Services.
Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services.
Senior & Disabled Services Division.
Department of Aging.
Department of Elderly Affairs.
Department of Protection and Regulatory Services.
Division of Aging and Adult Services.
Vermont Adult Protective Services.
Department of Social Services.
Department of Social and Health Services.
Department of Human Services.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Department of Health and Family Services.
Department of Family Services.
- Administration on Aging
- American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
- Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly, University of Delaware
- International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
- National Adult Protective Services Association
- National Association of State United for Aging and Disabilities
- National Center on Elder Abuse
- National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
- National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
Elder Mistreatment Student Research
Each year, the University Carver College of Medicine provides a medical student research program. The purpose of the Student Research Fellowship program is to interest medical students in research and to acquaint them with career possibilities in academic medicine. Students are encouraged, as far as possible, to employ their own initiative in planning and pursuing a research project of their choice.
The following students have participated in elder abuse research.
Rebecca Oswald, medical student, 2003
Oswald, R.A., Jogerst, G.J., Daly, J.M., & Bentler, S.E. (2004). Factors Associated with Iowa Family Physician's Reporting Elder Abuse. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 16(2), 75-88.
Hilary Buri, medical student, 2004 and 2005
Buri, H., Daly, J. M., Hartz, A. J., & Jogerst, G. J. (2006). Factors Associated with Self-Reported Elder Mistreatment in Iowa's Frailest. Research on Aging, 28(5), 562-581.
Buri, H., Daly, J., & Jogerst, G. (2009). Elder Abuse Telephone Screen Reliability and Validity. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 21(1), 58-73.
Amy Schmeidel, medical student, 2007 and 2008
Schmeidel, A. N., Daly, J. M., Rosenbaum, M. E., Schmuch, G. A., & Jogerst, G. J. (2012). Healthcare professionals' perspectives on barriers to elder abuse detection and reporting in primary care settings. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 24(1), 17-36.
Jessica McCool, medical student, 2008
McCool, J., Daly, J. M., Xu, Y., & Jogerst, G. J. (2009). Multidisciplinary Reports of Nursing Home Mistreatment. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 10(3), 174-80.
Lara Galloway, medical student, 2008
Galloway, L., Jogerst, G. J., Daly, J. M., Zheng S., & Xu, Y. Substance Abuse Associated with Elder Abuse in the United States. American Journal of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 38(1), 63-69.
Jennifer Leeney, student in School of Social Work masters program, 2004
Daly, J.M., Jogerst, G.J., Haigh, K.M, Leeney, J.L., & Dawson, J.D. (2005). APS Workers Job Requirements Affecting Elder Abuse Rates. Social Work in Health Care, 40 (3), 89-102.
Kellie Haigh, student in School of Social Work masters program, 2004
Daly, J.M., Jogerst, G.J., Haigh, K.M, Leeney, J.L., & Dawson, J.D. (2005). APS Workers Job Requirements Affecting Elder Abuse Rates. Social Work in Health Care , 40 (3), 89-102.