Adult Protective Services in Maryland

Maryland Adult Protective Services (APS) is administered through local Departments of Social Services under the oversight of the Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Adult Services. APS investigates reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect involving vulnerable adults aged 18 and older who live in the community. To report suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult in Maryland, call 1-800-917-7383 (also known as 1-800-91Prevent).

How to Report Elder Abuse in Maryland

Maryland APS reports are handled primarily by phone through the statewide hotline. Online reporting is not available statewide; reports are routed to local Departments of Social Services.

Report by Phone

Call 1-800-917-7383 to reach Maryland's statewide APS intake line. You will be connected with the local Department of Social Services (DSS) for the county where the vulnerable adult lives. Have the person's name, address, and a description of your concerns ready. Emergency situations receive a response within 24 hours. If you are unsure which county to contact, the statewide number will direct your call appropriately.

Report Online

Maryland does not currently offer a statewide online portal for APS reports. All reports must be made by calling 1-800-917-7383 or contacting your local Department of Social Services directly. A directory of local DSS offices is available at dhs.maryland.gov/local-offices. For non-emergency concerns, you may also contact local DSS offices by fax or in person during business hours.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger — including a medical emergency, active physical assault, or life-threatening neglect — call 911 first. APS provides an emergency response within 24 hours for reports involving imminent danger to life, but 911 is the appropriate first contact for active emergencies. After calling 911, report to APS at 1-800-917-7383 to open a formal investigation.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

The more specific information you can provide, the faster APS can respond. Try to have the following ready when you call:

• Full name, date of birth or approximate age, and home address of the vulnerable adult
• A description of what you witnessed or suspect — including specific incidents, dates, and frequency
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser or neglectful caregiver
• Any known information about the person's physical or mental health conditions
• Names of witnesses or others with relevant knowledge
• Your contact information (reports can be made anonymously, but contact info aids follow-up)
• Whether the person has a guardian, conservator, or power of attorney

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Maryland

Under Maryland Family Law Article §14-101 et seq. and COMAR 07.02.16, Maryland APS investigates the following types of maltreatment:

• Physical abuse — intentional injury, pain, or physical harm inflicted by a caregiver or another person
• Mental/emotional abuse — verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or deliberate isolation
• Sexual abuse — non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation
• Neglect — a caregiver's failure to provide food, medical care, shelter, or other essentials
• Self-neglect — an adult's inability or refusal to provide for their own basic needs, putting themselves at significant risk
• Financial exploitation — unauthorized use, theft, or mismanagement of a vulnerable adult's money or assets

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Abuse and neglect are often hidden, but certain physical, behavioral, and financial indicators may signal that a vulnerable adult needs help.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones
• Bedsores, poor hygiene, or untreated medical conditions
• Signs of malnutrition, dehydration, or sudden unexplained weight loss
• Injuries that do not match the explanation given by caregivers
• Fearfulness, flinching, or visible distress in the presence of a particular person

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from activities the person previously enjoyed
• Reluctance to speak openly in the presence of a caregiver or family member
• Confusion or disorientation beyond their normal condition
• Reports — directly or indirectly — of being treated badly, threatened, or restricted
• Changes in personality, sleep patterns, or eating habits without medical explanation

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or transfer of assets
• Sudden changes to a will, trust, or beneficiary designations
• Unpaid bills, food shortages, or shutoff utilities despite having financial resources
• A caregiver or family member who controls all financial access and information
• Missing checks, credit cards, or financial account statements

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Maryland

Any individual may report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Maryland. There is no requirement to have proof — a reasonable belief that abuse may be occurring is sufficient to file a report.

Maryland designates specific professionals as mandated reporters under Family Law Article §14-302. Mandated reporters include health practitioners (physicians, nurses, dentists, and other health care providers), police officers, and human service workers. Financial institutions are additionally required to report suspected financial exploitation of adults aged 65 and older.

Good faith reporters are immune from civil liability under Family Law §14-309. Reports are confidential and reporter identities are not disclosed without consent or a court order under Family Law §14-308.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Maryland

Maryland APS follows a defined process after receiving a report:

Step 1 — Intake Screening

The local DSS intake worker reviews the report to determine whether it meets the criteria for an APS investigation — specifically, whether the subject is a vulnerable adult under Maryland law and whether the reported conduct constitutes abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect within APS jurisdiction. Reports involving licensed facility residents may be referred to the appropriate licensing or oversight agency.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Under COMAR 07.02.16.05, emergency reports involving risk to life or serious harm are assigned for initiation within 24 hours and completion within 10 days. Standard reports are initiated within 5 working days and completed within 30 days.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker makes a face-to-face visit with the vulnerable adult in their home or care setting. The investigator interviews the adult privately where possible, assesses living conditions, and speaks with family members, caregivers, and other relevant parties. Medical records, financial records, and law enforcement reports may be reviewed. Suspected criminal activity is referred to law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

When an investigation substantiates abuse, neglect, or exploitation, APS works with the adult to develop a service plan. Services available in Maryland may include in-home support, emergency placement, medical referrals, mental health services, legal advocacy, and financial management assistance. Adults with decision-making capacity retain the right to refuse services. If the person lacks capacity and faces ongoing danger, APS can seek court-authorized intervention.

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

Maryland APS investigates abuse and neglect in community settings — primarily private homes and non-licensed care arrangements. Complaints about the quality of care or staff conduct in licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other licensed residential care settings are handled separately.

For concerns about residents of licensed long-term care facilities in Maryland, contact the Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-243-3425. The Ombudsman advocates for residents and investigates complaints about care quality, residents' rights violations, and facility conditions. The Maryland Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) handles regulatory complaints and facility inspections.

For a full guide to filing a complaint about a Maryland nursing home or assisted living facility, see our Maryland Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Maryland

• Maryland APS Hotline: 1-800-917-7383
• Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-243-3425
• Maryland Office of Health Care Quality: 410-402-8201
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Reports to Maryland APS are confidential. If you suspect a vulnerable adult is being harmed, call 1-800-917-7383. You do not need proof to make a report — a reasonable belief that something is wrong is enough.