Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Help and Resources

Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults in Georgia

Have you ever been suspicious about how your relative received bruises on their arms? Perhaps you suspect your neighbor who has a disability is not caring for himself/herself the way he/she has in the past. Have you ever noticed an elderly or disabled neighbor wandering around asking neighbors for food or a ride?

What should you look for, and what can you do?

• Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly and disabled adults is one of the most undetected and underreported problems in the U.S.
• Abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults can be intentional or unintentional. 
• The definitions, indicators, and types of abuse apply to both older adults and adults 18 and older with any disability.
• Abuse, neglect, or exploitation can occur in a person’s own home or in a community living arrangement such as assisted living settings, personal care homes, or nursing homes.

Types of Abuse

• Physical abuse - using physical force to coerce or to inflict bodily harm. It often, but not always, causes physical discomfort, pain, or injury. It may include the willful deprivation of essential services, such as medical care, food, or water.
• Emotional abuse - using tactics, such as harassment, insults, intimidation, isolation, or threats that cause mental or emotional anguish. It diminishes the person’s sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth.
• Sexual abuse - any kind of sexual behavior directed towards an at-risk adult without the person’s full knowledge and consent. A spouse, partner, family member, or other trusted person can perpetrate sexual abuse.
• Exploitation - improperly or illegally using a person's resources for the benefit of another person, for example, using a Power of Attorney to gain access to an adult’s assets for personal gain or using undue influence, false representation, and other means to gain access to an adult’s income.
• Neglect - occurs when a caregiver refuses or fails to provide essential services (food, water, shelter, medical care, etc.) to the degree that it harms or threatens to harm an older and/or disabled adult.
• Self-neglect - failing to perform essential self-care such as depriving oneself of necessities such as food, water, or medication. Consciously putting oneself in harm’s way or being unable to handle needs of day-to-day living because of medical, mental health, or other disabilities. Self-neglect is not a crime.

Helpful Services:

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD),

• Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 (24/7 mental health, substance abuse, and emergency services). 
• Visit mygcal.com.  For non-emergency mental health, developmental disabilities and addictive disease services, call 1-855-606-2725.

The Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection or OCP, 404-651-8600 or outside Metro Atlanta

• 1-800-869-1123 enforces the Fair Business Practices Act and other consumer protection laws.
• OCP also mediates consumer complaints, investigates, and addresses consumer problems and takes necessary civil action against offending businesses. OCP works to prosecute crimes related to telemarketing, home construction, and home repair fraud, identity theft and Internet fraud.

Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP), 1-833-457-7529, provides legal assistance for civil matters for people 60 years of age and older.

Georgia Senior Legal Aide, 1-888-257-9519, provides legal assistance over the telephone for Georgians 60 years of age and older. Hours of operation Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), 1-866-552-4464, option “4”, provides free health insurance counseling for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. SHIP also reports suspected fraud in Medicare and Medicaid. Call if you have questions about your health insurance or suspect fraud.

What Can You Do?

APS is not a first responder. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger!

If you suspect abuse, you can do something about it. First, recognize the signs. Then, report the situation so it can be investigated. The problem can’t be solved until it is reported.

Any setting

• Call local law enforcement if abuse, neglect, or exploitation is suspected (911).

Community setting

• If the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurs in a person’s home or other community settings then contact the Division of Aging Services’ Adult Protective Services Central Intake in Metropolitan Atlanta 404-657-5250 or outside of Atlanta at 1-866-552-4464. Your report is confidential and the law protects anyone from a lawsuit who reports abuse.

Report Online

• APS Web Intake

Long-Term Care Facility or Residence including:

• Nursing Facility, Personal Care Home (including assisted living), and Community Living Arrangement.
• Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR) is responsible for investigating reports in these facilities.
• Call (404) 657-5728 or make a complaint online.
• Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
• To file a complaint about a licensed health care facility or service provider, call 1-800-878-6442. Leave your contact information for a return call from our staff. You may also fax your complaint to 404-657-5731.
• Facility Locator: gamap2care.info

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

• If you or someone you know needs an advocate in any of the long-term care facilities, contact the local long-term care ombudsman who is authorized to advocate for residents in any licensed long-term care setting. To find your local long-term care ombudsman, call 1-866-552-4464 option “5” or call the Office of State Long-term Care Ombudsman at 404-463-8383. 

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Locator: georgiaombudsman.org/where-we-are-located