Adult Protective Services in Missouri

Missouri Adult Protective Services (APS), operated by the Section for Adult Protective Services within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, investigates reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect affecting eligible adults in the community and in long-term care settings. Missouri APS serves adults aged 60 and older, as well as adults ages 18–59 with qualifying disabilities. To report suspected abuse or neglect, call 1-800-392-0210 or submit a report online.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Missouri

Missouri offers two primary reporting methods: a staffed phone hotline and a 24/7 online portal.

Report by Phone

Call Missouri APS at 1-800-392-0210. The hotline is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 365 days per year. Deaf or hard-of-hearing callers can use Relay Missouri at 1-800-735-2966. An intake worker will document your report and route it to the appropriate regional office for investigation. If you are unsure whether a situation qualifies, call anyway — intake workers can help you determine the appropriate course of action.

Report Online

Missouri's online reporting portal, MoAPSS, is available at https://moapss.health.mo.gov. Online reports are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though they are monitored only during staffed hotline hours (7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.). The online portal is appropriate for non-emergency reports where there is no immediate risk to the eligible adult. For urgent situations, the phone hotline provides faster assessment and response.

Emergency Situations

If an eligible adult in Missouri faces immediate physical danger — an active emergency, assault, or life-threatening situation — call 911 first. APS is a social services agency, not an emergency response unit. After contacting emergency services, call 1-800-392-0210 or use the online portal to initiate a formal APS investigation.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Providing detailed information when you call or submit your online report helps Missouri APS assign the appropriate priority and respond effectively. Gather the following if possible:

• Full name, age, and home address of the eligible adult you are concerned about
• A description of the specific abuse, neglect, or exploitation — type, circumstances, frequency, and dates
• Name and relationship of the alleged abuser or neglectful caregiver
• Information about the adult's physical or mental health conditions or disabilities
• Names of witnesses or other people with relevant knowledge
• Your contact information (reports can be anonymous, but contact details help with follow-up)
• Whether the person is in an institutional or community setting

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Missouri

Under RSMo §§192.2400–192.2505, Missouri APS investigates the following types of maltreatment affecting eligible adults:

• Physical abuse — intentional injury or physical harm caused by another person, including improper use of physical restraints
• Sexual abuse — non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation
• Emotional injury — psychological harm caused by threats, intimidation, humiliation, or persistent verbal aggression
• Financial exploitation — unauthorized use of funds or property, misuse of power of attorney, or theft
• Bullying — repeated aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, control, or demean
• Neglect — a caregiver's failure to provide food, shelter, medical care, clothing, or supervision
• Self-neglect — an adult's inability to provide for their own essential needs

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Identifying abuse or neglect early can prevent lasting harm. The following warning signs — especially when they are unexplained, new, or recurring — may indicate that an eligible adult needs help.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or broken bones in various stages of healing
• Bedsores, untreated wounds, or poor personal hygiene
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
• Injuries inconsistent with the explanation provided by caregivers
• Visible distress or fear around particular individuals

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden depression, anxiety, withdrawal, or unusual fearfulness
• Reluctance to speak freely when a caregiver is present
• Confusion, disorientation, or behavioral changes beyond the person's baseline
• Reports of threats, isolation, or mistreatment
• Sudden changes in social engagement or daily habits

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals, missing funds, or unauthorized account activity
• Sudden changes to a will, trust, power of attorney, or beneficiaries
• Unpaid bills or utilities despite adequate financial resources
• An individual who seems unaware of or confused about their own finances
• A caregiver who controls all financial access

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Missouri

Any person who suspects abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an eligible adult in Missouri may file a report. Anonymous reports are accepted.

Missouri designates a range of professionals as mandated reporters under RSMo §192.2405. These include health practitioners (physicians, nurses, dentists, and other licensed health care providers), licensed social workers, law enforcement officers, home health agency employees, and long-term care facility staff. A full list is available at health.mo.gov. Mandated reporters are required to report immediately when they have reasonable cause to suspect maltreatment.

Failure to report by a mandated reporter is a Class A misdemeanor in Missouri under RSMo §§565.188 and 192.2405.3. Good faith reporters — including mandated reporters — are immune from civil and criminal liability unless the reporter acted negligently, recklessly, in bad faith, or maliciously under RSMo §192.2430.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Missouri

Step 1 — Intake Screening

Missouri APS reviews the report to confirm the subject qualifies as an eligible adult under RSMo §192.2400 and that the reported conduct falls within APS jurisdiction. The intake worker determines the priority level based on the severity of the alleged maltreatment and the vulnerability of the adult.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Missouri APS is required to initiate a prompt and thorough investigation upon receipt of a report under RSMo §192.2415. Reports involving long-term care facilities are generally initiated within 24 hours. Community-based reports are prioritized based on assessed risk level. APS aims to complete investigations within 30 days.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker conducts a face-to-face visit with the eligible adult in their home or care setting. The caseworker assesses the adult's physical condition, reviews the living environment, and interviews caregivers, family members, neighbors, and other relevant parties. Medical and financial records may be subpoenaed or reviewed. Criminal activity is referred to law enforcement and, where relevant, to the Missouri Attorney General.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

When maltreatment is substantiated, APS develops a service plan with the eligible adult. Services may include emergency placement, in-home care, medical and mental health referrals, legal assistance, and financial management support. Adults with capacity retain the right to refuse services under Missouri law. If capacity is in question, APS may petition the court for emergency protective services.

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

Missouri APS handles both community-based and long-term care facility abuse reports. However, residents of licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities also have access to the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for advocacy and complaint resolution.

Contact the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-309-3282 for concerns about care quality, residents' rights, staffing, or facility conditions in licensed long-term care settings. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Bureau of Long-Term Care conducts inspections and handles regulatory complaints against licensed facilities.

For a complete guide to filing a nursing home complaint in Missouri, see our Missouri Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Missouri

• Missouri APS Hotline: 1-800-392-0210 (7am–8pm, 365 days)
• Missouri APS Online Portal (24/7)
• Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-309-3282
• Relay Missouri (TTY): 1-800-735-2966
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Missouri APS reports are confidential. Anonymous reports are accepted. If you suspect an eligible adult is being harmed, call 1-800-392-0210 or use the online portal.