Adult Protective Services in Louisiana

Louisiana Adult Protective Services (APS), administered by the Office of Aging and Adult Services within the Louisiana Department of Health, investigates reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect affecting vulnerable adults living in the community. APS serves adults ages 18–59 with qualifying disabilities, as well as individuals 60 and older. If you suspect a vulnerable adult is being harmed, Louisiana's APS hotline is available around the clock: call 1-800-898-4910.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Louisiana

Louisiana provides two ways to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult: by phone and through a limited online form. For physical or sexual abuse, the hotline is the only option.

Report by Phone

Call the Louisiana APS hotline at 1-800-898-4910. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. When you call, a trained intake worker will gather information about the alleged victim, the suspected abuse, and the alleged abuser. You do not need proof — reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect is occurring is enough. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the Louisiana Relay Service (dial 711) to reach the hotline.

Report Online

Louisiana offers an online reporting form for cases involving neglect or financial exploitation only. This form cannot be used to report suspected physical abuse or sexual abuse — those reports must be made by calling 1-800-898-4910. The online form is best suited for non-emergency situations where you have time to provide detailed written information.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger — including physical assault, life-threatening neglect, or a medical emergency — call 911 first. APS investigators are not first responders. Once emergency services have been contacted, follow up with the APS hotline at 1-800-898-4910 to file a formal report so that an investigation can be initiated.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following information available before you call will help the APS intake worker process your report quickly and accurately. You do not need to know all of this information to make a report — provide what you can:

• Full name, age, and home address of the person you believe is being abused or neglected
• A description of what you witnessed or suspect — be as specific as possible about incidents, dates, and locations
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser or neglectful caregiver
• Information about the victim's physical or mental condition, including any known disabilities
• Names of any witnesses or other people who may have relevant information
• Your own contact information (reports can be made anonymously, but providing contact details helps investigators follow up)
• Any information about the victim's current living situation or safety risks

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Louisiana

Under Louisiana's Adult Protective Services Act (La. R.S. 15:1501 et seq.), APS is authorized to investigate the following types of maltreatment affecting vulnerable adults:

• Physical abuse — hitting, striking, improper use of physical restraints, or inappropriate medication administration that causes bodily harm
• Mental/emotional abuse — threats, intimidation, humiliation, verbal harassment, or deliberate isolation from family and friends
• Sexual abuse — any non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation
• Neglect — a caregiver's failure to provide basic necessities including food, shelter, medical care, or personal hygiene assistance
• Self-neglect — an adult's inability or unwillingness to meet their own basic needs, placing themselves at risk of serious harm
• Exploitation — unauthorized use of a vulnerable adult's funds, property, or resources for the benefit of another
• Extortion — coercing a vulnerable adult to provide money, property, or services through threats
• Isolation — actions designed to prevent a vulnerable adult from maintaining contact with family, friends, or support systems
• Abandonment — desertion of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver or guardian

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Recognizing the warning signs of abuse or neglect can prompt a life-saving report. Not all signs are definitive evidence of abuse, but unexplained or recurring indicators warrant a call to APS.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones, or welts — especially in various stages of healing
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers that indicate prolonged immobility without proper care
• Rapid, unexplained weight loss, dehydration, or poor personal hygiene
• Signs of physical restraint such as rope marks or chafed wrists
• Fearful behavior around a specific caregiver or when caregivers are nearby

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden withdrawal, depression, or unusual fearfulness, especially around caregivers
• Confusion or disorientation beyond the person's normal baseline
• Reluctance to speak freely in the presence of certain individuals
• Sudden changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, or social behavior
• Reports of being threatened, confined, or treated poorly

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or sudden changes to financial documents
• New names added to bank accounts, beneficiary designations, or powers of attorney
• Unpaid bills despite having adequate income, or disconnected utilities
• Missing valuables, jewelry, or possessions
• A caregiver or family member showing sudden unexplained affluence

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Louisiana

Louisiana is one of a minority of states with universal mandatory reporting for adult protective services. Under La. R.S. 14:403.2, every person in Louisiana who has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited is legally required to report. This is not limited to professionals — the obligation applies to everyone.

Professionals with particularly close contact with vulnerable adults — including physicians, nurses, mental health providers, social workers, law enforcement officers, financial service providers, and other health care workers — are specifically identified as mandatory reporters in LDH guidance materials.

Reports made in good faith are protected: reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability under La. R.S. 15:1504(B), and reporter identities are kept confidential. Failure to report is a misdemeanor under La. R.S. 14:403.2(A), punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in jail.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Louisiana

Once you file a report, Louisiana APS follows a structured response process. Here is what to expect:

Step 1 — Intake Screening

An APS intake worker receives your report and screens it to determine whether it meets the criteria for investigation. The worker assesses the nature of the alleged maltreatment, the vulnerability of the adult, the immediacy of any risk, and whether APS has jurisdiction. Reports involving individuals in licensed nursing homes or assisted living facilities are typically referred to the appropriate regulatory agency.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Louisiana assigns reports a priority level based on the assessed risk. High-risk reports — where the vulnerable adult faces imminent danger — are assigned for investigation initiation within 24 hours. Lower-risk reports are assigned for initiation within 10 business days. The goal is to complete investigations within 30 days of receipt of the report.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker conducts a face-to-face visit with the alleged victim at their home. The caseworker interviews the individual, observes their living conditions, and speaks with family members, caregivers, neighbors, and other relevant parties. Medical records, financial documents, and law enforcement reports may be reviewed. If the caseworker suspects criminal conduct, the investigation is coordinated with local law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If APS substantiates a finding of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, a service plan is developed in collaboration with the vulnerable adult whenever possible. Services may include emergency placement, food assistance, medical and mental health referrals, personal care services, money management help, or home repair assistance. Interventions are typically implemented within 90–120 days of the initial report. Louisiana law respects the right of adults with capacity to refuse services; APS can petition the court for emergency intervention if the person lacks capacity and faces life-threatening danger.

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

Louisiana APS primarily investigates abuse and neglect in community settings — private homes, informal care arrangements, and unlicensed facilities. If the person you are concerned about lives in a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or other licensed long-term care setting, APS is generally not the right agency to contact first.

For concerns about residents of licensed long-term care facilities in Louisiana, contact the Louisiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-259-4990. The Ombudsman advocates on behalf of residents and investigates complaints about the quality of care, staff conduct, and residents' rights within licensed facilities. The Louisiana Department of Health's Health Standards Section handles licensing and regulatory complaints against nursing homes.

For a full guide to filing a nursing home complaint in Louisiana, including how to reach the survey and certification agency, visit our Louisiana Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Louisiana

• Louisiana APS Hotline: 1-800-898-4910 (24/7)
• Louisiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-259-4990
• Eldercare Locator (connects to local aging services): 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline (DOJ): 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

If you believe a vulnerable adult in Louisiana is being harmed, do not wait. Call 1-800-898-4910 or use the online form for neglect and exploitation cases. Reports are confidential, and anonymous reports are accepted.