Adult Protective Services in Alabama

Alabama Adult Protective Services (APS), a division of the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults statewide. Any adult age 18 or older who is unable to protect themselves due to a physical or mental impairment may qualify for APS services. If you believe an adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited in Alabama, you can report it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-458-7214 or by sending an email to aps@dhr.alabama.gov.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Alabama

Alabama law allows — and in some cases requires — people to report suspected abuse of vulnerable adults. Reports are kept confidential, and good-faith reporters are protected from civil and criminal liability under Ala. Code § 38-9-9. Anonymous reports are accepted.

Report by Phone

Call the Alabama DHR Adult Protective Services hotline at 1-800-458-7214. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call, an intake worker will collect information about the person you believe is in danger and the circumstances of the suspected abuse or neglect. You do not need proof — reasonable suspicion is sufficient to make a report. If you prefer, you may leave a message; however, for any situation involving immediate danger, call 911 as well.

Report Online

Alabama APS does not currently offer a statewide online reporting portal. Reports must be made by phone at 1-800-458-7214 or by email to aps@dhr.alabama.gov. Email is suitable for non-urgent situations; for any emergency or imminent threat to an adult's safety, use the phone hotline or call 911 immediately.

Emergency Situations

If an adult is in immediate physical danger, call 911 first. APS is not a first-responder agency. Once law enforcement has responded, you should also file a report with APS so that caseworkers can follow up with an investigation and connect the individual with protective services.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following information on hand will help APS intake staff process your report quickly and assign it the correct priority level. You do not need all of this information to make a report — provide whatever you have:

• Full name, age, and address of the person you believe is in danger
• A description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation and when it occurred
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser, if known
• Details about the vulnerable adult's physical or mental condition
• Names and contact information of witnesses or others who may have information
• Your own contact information (optional — anonymous reports are accepted)
• Any immediate safety concerns, such as the person being left without food, medication, or heat

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Alabama

Alabama APS investigates a broad range of mistreatment affecting vulnerable adults under the Alabama Adult Protective Services Act of 1976 (Ala. Code § 38-9-1 et seq.). The following types of abuse are covered:

• Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, kicking, restraining, burning, or any willful act causing bodily injury
• Emotional/psychological abuse: Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or isolation used to control or harm
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior
• Neglect: A caregiver's failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision
• Financial exploitation: Theft, fraud, misuse of funds or assets, unauthorized use of a person's accounts, or coerced changes to wills or powers of attorney
• Self-neglect: When an adult is unable — due to mental or physical inability — to provide themselves with basic necessities, placing their own health or safety at risk

Alabama APS may also coordinate with law enforcement when a report involves criminal conduct such as theft, battery, or financial fraud.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Recognizing the warning signs of elder abuse is the first step toward protecting a vulnerable adult. The following signs do not always indicate abuse, but any combination of them warrants a closer look and potentially a report to APS.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or broken bones — especially in unusual locations
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers, indicating inadequate repositioning or care
• Sudden, unexplained weight loss, dehydration, or signs of malnutrition
• Poor hygiene, unwashed clothing, or living in unsanitary conditions
• Signs of physical restraint, such as rope marks or bruising on wrists

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden withdrawal, fearfulness, or anxiety — especially around a specific caregiver or family member
• Increased confusion or disorientation beyond what is typical for the person's condition
• Sudden depression, changes in sleep, appetite, or previously normal behavior
• A caregiver who speaks for the adult and refuses to allow private conversation

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, or new authorized signatories on accounts
• Sudden changes to a will, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations
• Unpaid bills, utility shutoffs, or eviction notices despite the person having sufficient income
• Missing valuables, jewelry, or personal property
• Caregiver showing unusual interest in the adult's finances or estate

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Alabama

Under Ala. Code § 38-9-8, any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited may make a report to APS. Alabama law identifies certain mandatory reporters who are legally required to report suspected abuse, including physicians and other practitioners of the healing arts, caregivers, and Long-Term Care Ombudsmen.

All reports are kept confidential under Ala. Code § 38-9-6(e). Reporters acting in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability under Ala. Code § 38-9-9. While Alabama law does not specify a criminal penalty for mandatory reporters who fail to report, professionals who fail to act may still face liability or licensing consequences.

Anonymous reports are accepted. However, providing contact information helps investigators follow up if additional details are needed.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Alabama

Once you submit a report, Alabama APS follows a structured process to determine whether abuse has occurred and what services the adult needs.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

APS intake staff screen the report to determine whether it meets the criteria for investigation. They assess whether the individual is a vulnerable adult under Ala. Code § 38-9 and whether the reported conduct constitutes abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Reports that meet criteria are accepted and assigned a response priority.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Alabama APS aims to initiate contact within 7 calendar days of receiving a report. For situations involving immediate danger to health or safety, the response is initiated immediately — typically within 24 hours. Calling 911 remains the correct first step for any life-threatening emergency.

Step 3 — Investigation

A trained APS caseworker conducts an in-person assessment. This typically includes a face-to-face visit with the vulnerable adult (ideally in private), interviews with family members, caregivers, and witnesses, a review of the home environment, and, when criminal activity is suspected, coordination with law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If APS confirms abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the caseworker develops a service plan with the adult to address their safety and well-being. Services may include emergency shelter, food assistance, medical referrals, mental health services, financial management help, legal assistance, and home repair resources. Adults with decision-making capacity have the right to refuse services. If a person lacks capacity and faces a life-threatening situation, APS may seek an emergency protective order through the courts.

APS vs. Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse in Alabama?

Alabama APS primarily investigates abuse and neglect in community settings — private homes, unlicensed facilities, and non-institutional environments. If your concern involves a resident of a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or other long-term care facility, the appropriate agency to contact is the Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

The Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for the rights of residents in licensed long-term care facilities. You can reach the Ombudsman at 1-800-243-5463. For complaints about a nursing home's compliance with state and federal regulations, contact the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) or the Alabama Department of Public Health.

For a full guide to reporting nursing home complaints in Alabama — including how to file with the state survey agency — see the Alabama Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Alabama

• Alabama APS Hotline: 1-800-458-7214 (24/7)
• Alabama APS Email: aps@dhr.alabama.gov
• Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-243-5463 | alabamaageline.gov/long-term-care-ombudsman/
• Alabama Ageline (aging services): 1-800-243-5463 | alabamaageline.gov
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)

Reporting suspected elder abuse is one of the most effective steps a person can take to protect a vulnerable adult. Reports are confidential, anonymous reports are accepted, and good-faith reporters are protected by Alabama law.