Adult Protective Services in Florida

Florida Adult Protective Services (APS), operated by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults throughout the state. Under Chapter 415 of the Florida Statutes, any person 18 or older whose ability to care for or protect themselves is impaired due to disability, brain damage, or the infirmities of aging may qualify for APS protection. You can report suspected abuse by calling 1-800-962-2873 (available 24/7) or online.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Florida

Florida is a universal mandatory reporting state — any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult is required to report it. Under § 415.1034, F.S., professionally trained individuals such as physicians, nurses, social workers, and facility staff carry heightened obligations. Reporter identity is protected under § 415.107, F.S., and good-faith reporters are immune from liability under § 415.1034, F.S.

Report by Phone

Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 (press 2 for adult abuse). The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. For TDD users: 1-800-453-5145. Florida Relay: 711. Reports can also be submitted by fax to 1-800-914-0004. When you call, an intake specialist will gather details about the vulnerable adult, the suspected abuse or neglect, and the alleged perpetrator. Florida APS aims to initiate a face-to-face contact with the adult within 24 hours of a report being accepted.

Report Online

Florida offers online reporting through the DCF portal. The online system is available 24/7. It is suitable for non-emergency situations; for urgent cases or those involving immediate danger, use the phone hotline at 1-800-962-2873.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 for any situation involving immediate physical danger. APS does not provide emergency first-response services. Once emergency personnel have addressed the immediate crisis, follow up by filing a report with APS so that DCF caseworkers can initiate an investigation and coordinate ongoing protective services.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following details ready will help intake staff process your report efficiently. You are not required to have all of this information — report what you know:

• Full name, age, and address of the vulnerable adult
• Description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation and when it occurred
• Name and relationship of the alleged abuser, if known
• Information about the adult's physical or mental condition
• Names and contact information of witnesses or others with relevant knowledge
• Specific safety concerns such as lack of medication, food, heat, or supervision
• Your own contact information (optional — anonymous reports are accepted)

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Florida

Florida APS investigates the following types of mistreatment under § 415.102, F.S.:

• Physical abuse: Willful acts or threatened acts causing injury, disability, or impairment
• Emotional/psychological abuse: Willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish through threats, humiliation, or isolation
• Sexual abuse: Non-consensual sexual contact, exposure, or exploitation
• Neglect: Failure to provide or to arrange for care necessary to maintain physical and mental health
• Self-neglect: A vulnerable adult's inability — due to impairment — to perform essential self-care activities
• Financial exploitation: Misuse of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable adult for another person's benefit

Florida DCF coordinates with the Department of Law Enforcement and local law enforcement agencies when reports involve suspected criminal conduct.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

The following signs may indicate that a vulnerable adult is experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Report what you observe — you do not need certainty to make a report.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or broken bones — particularly in unusual locations or multiple stages of healing
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers suggesting prolonged inadequate care
• Rapid or unexplained weight loss, dehydration, or signs of malnutrition
• Poor hygiene, soiled clothes, or unsanitary living conditions

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden withdrawal, fearfulness, or extreme submissiveness — especially around a caregiver
• Unexplained changes in mood, behavior, or daily routine
• A caregiver who prevents private conversation or speaks dismissively on behalf of the adult

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or new authorized signatories
• Recent changes to wills, powers of attorney, or beneficiary designations that seem uncharacteristic
• Unpaid bills or disconnected utilities despite adequate income
• Caregiver who controls finances and limits the adult's access to money

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Florida

Florida is a universal mandatory reporting state under § 415.1034, F.S. This means any person who has reasonable cause to suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult is required to report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline. This obligation applies to all individuals, not just professionals. Professionals including physicians, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, nursing home and assisted living staff, law enforcement, social workers, and bank officers carry specific heightened obligations.

Reporter identity is protected under § 415.107, F.S. and will not be released without consent except to authorized parties (DCF staff, law enforcement, or state attorneys). Good-faith reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability under § 415.1034, F.S. Knowing and willful failure to report is a misdemeanor of the second degree under § 415.103, F.S.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Florida

After a report is submitted, Florida DCF follows a defined process to assess the situation and intervene appropriately.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

Intake specialists at the Florida Abuse Hotline screen the report to determine whether the subject qualifies as a vulnerable adult under § 415.102, F.S. and whether the reported conduct falls within APS jurisdiction. Reports that meet criteria are accepted and classified by priority based on the immediacy and severity of the alleged harm.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Florida law requires that APS investigators make face-to-face contact with the vulnerable adult within 24 hours of a report being accepted under § 415.104, F.S. The full investigation must be completed within 60 days. The 24-hour initial contact requirement is one of the most rigorous in the country.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS investigator visits the vulnerable adult in person — ideally speaking with them privately — and interviews family members, caregivers, witnesses, and relevant professionals. The investigator reviews the living environment, medical records when necessary, and financial documents when exploitation is alleged. Cases with criminal elements are referred to local law enforcement or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If the investigation confirms abuse, neglect, or exploitation, DCF develops a service plan with the adult to address their safety and needs. Available services in Florida include emergency shelter, food assistance, medical and mental health referrals, benefits enrollment, financial management services, and legal advocacy through Florida Legal Services. Adults with decision-making capacity have the right to refuse services. If capacity is in question and safety is at risk, DCF may seek emergency protective services orders through the courts.

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

Florida APS investigates abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in community settings — private homes and non-institutional environments. If your concern involves a resident of a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family care home, or other licensed long-term care facility, contact the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, operated by the Department of Elder Affairs, advocates for the rights of residents in licensed long-term care facilities and investigates complaints about care quality and resident rights. Reach the Ombudsman toll-free at 1-888-831-0404. Regulatory complaints about a facility's compliance with state and federal standards should be directed to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

For a comprehensive guide to nursing home complaints in Florida, see the Florida Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Florida

• Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873 (24/7, press 2 for adult abuse)
• Florida APS Online Reporting (24/7)
• Florida APS Fax: 1-800-914-0004
• Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-888-831-0404
• Florida Department of Elder Affairs: elderaffairs.org
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116