Adult Protective Services in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Adult Protective Services (APS) is administered at the county level with oversight from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Wisconsin APS protects both older adults (age 60 and older) through elder-adult-at-risk agencies and adults ages 18 to 59 with qualifying physical or mental conditions through adult-at-risk agencies. For elder abuse reports (adults 60+), call the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-833-586-0107 or report online at ReportElderAbuseWI.org. For adults under 60 with disabilities, contact your local county APS office.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Wisconsin

Wisconsin offers a statewide Elder Abuse Hotline for adults 60 and older, with county-based APS offices handling in-person investigations. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 first.

Report by Phone

Call 1-833-586-0107 to reach the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline, which routes reports to the appropriate county elder-adult-at-risk agency for adults age 60 and older. For adults ages 18 to 59 with disabilities, contact your local county Department of Health and Human Services or Department of Social Services directly. A directory of county APS contacts is available at dhs.wisconsin.gov/aps. Reports may be made anonymously, and callers acting in good faith are protected by law under Wis. Act 388.

Report Online

Wisconsin provides an online reporting portal specifically for elder abuse (adults 60+) at ReportElderAbuseWI.org. This portal is appropriate for non-emergency situations and routes reports to the county elder-adult-at-risk agency. For adults under 60 with disabilities, contact the local county APS office directly. Reports may be submitted anonymously online.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 immediately if a vulnerable adult is in immediate physical danger. Wisconsin APS is not a first-responder agency. Under Wis. Stat. § 46.90(5)(a)1., APS is required to respond within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) for facility cases, and best practice calls for initial community case response within 24 hours as well.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following information ready will help Wisconsin APS route and respond to your report efficiently:

• Full name, age, and current address of the person you are concerned about
• A description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation — specific incidents, dates, and locations
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser (if known)
• Information about the person's physical or mental health conditions or care arrangements
• Names of other witnesses, family members, or care providers with relevant information
• Your own contact information (optional — reports may be anonymous)

Wisconsin law requires certain professionals to report suspected elder abuse. All reporters acting in good faith are immune from liability, even if they inadvertently report to the wrong agency.

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Wisconsin

Under Wis. Stat. §§ 46.90 and 55.043, Wisconsin APS investigates the following categories of abuse and neglect affecting vulnerable adults:

• Physical abuse — Non-accidental infliction of physical pain, injury, or harm
• Emotional abuse — Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or conduct causing psychological distress
• Sexual abuse — Non-consensual sexual contact or conduct
• Treatment without consent — Providing medical, psychiatric, or other treatment without informed consent
• Unreasonable confinement or restraint — Restricting movement without appropriate authorization
• Financial exploitation — Misappropriation or improper use of a vulnerable adult's money, property, or assets
• Neglect — Failure by a caregiver to provide essential food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
• Self-neglect — Failure of a vulnerable adult to provide for their own essential needs

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

The following warning signs may indicate that an older adult or adult with disabilities is experiencing abuse or neglect in Wisconsin.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries at different stages of healing
• Marks suggesting restraint on wrists, ankles, or elsewhere
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers indicating inadequate care or immobility
• Weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition without a medical explanation

Behavioral Signs

• Withdrawal from social activities or family and friends
• Fear, agitation, or anxiety around a specific caregiver or person
• Sudden depression, confusion, or behavioral changes
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver is present

Financial Signs

• Unexplained bank withdrawals, new credit accounts, or changes to account access
• Missing personal property, jewelry, or valuables
• Unpaid bills or lack of necessities despite adequate resources
• Sudden changes to a will, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Wisconsin

Any person in Wisconsin who has reasonable cause to believe a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited may make a report to APS. Reports may be made anonymously, and reporter identity is confidential under Wis. Stat. § 46.90(6).

Under Wis. Stat. § 46.90(2m), mandatory reporters include licensed health care providers, DHS-licensed entity employees, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and school personnel who have regular contact with vulnerable adults. These professionals are legally required to report when they have reasonable cause to believe abuse has occurred.

Wisconsin's mandatory reporting statute protects reporters who act in good faith — including those who inadvertently report to the wrong agency (Wis. Act 388). Retaliation against a reporter within 120 days of a report is presumed to be retaliatory, and violators face a civil penalty of $10,000. There is no criminal penalty for failure to report in Wisconsin; however, employer retaliation protections are robust.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Wisconsin

Wisconsin APS follows a county-based intake and investigation process after receiving a report.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

County APS staff review the report to determine whether the alleged victim meets the eligibility criteria under Wis. Stat. § 55.01 or § 46.90 and whether the reported conduct falls within APS's investigative jurisdiction. The report is accepted or declined based on this initial screening.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

For licensed facility cases, Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 46.90(5)(a)1.) requires APS to respond within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. For community cases, best practice standards call for an initial response within 24 hours. Response times may vary by county. All substantiated cases are assigned to an APS caseworker for investigation.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker makes in-person contact with the alleged victim to assess their safety, living conditions, health, and capacity. The caseworker may interview family members, caregivers, neighbors, and medical providers. Criminal conduct is referred to local law enforcement. Financial exploitation cases may involve coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions or local prosecutors.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

When the investigation confirms abuse or identifies a vulnerable adult at risk, APS develops a service plan in collaboration with the adult. Services may include emergency shelter, in-home care, medical and mental health referrals, financial management assistance, and legal referrals. Adults with decision-making capacity retain the right to refuse services. For adults lacking capacity and facing serious risk, APS may seek court-ordered protective placement or services under Wis. Stat. § 55.12.

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

Wisconsin APS investigates abuse in community settings — private homes and non-licensed residential environments — as well as in licensed facilities. For independent advocacy and complaint resolution involving licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other licensed long-term care settings, contact the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care (Ombudsman) at 1-800-815-0015 or visit longtermcare.wi.gov.

The Ombudsman investigates complaints on behalf of residents and works to resolve issues with facility management. Complaints about facility licensing and regulatory compliance can also be filed with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. For a complete guide to the nursing home complaint process in Wisconsin.

Additional Resources in Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline (60+): 1-833-586-0107
• Wisconsin Online Elder Abuse Report: ReportElderAbuseWI.org
• Wisconsin DHS APS
• Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care (Ombudsman): 1-800-815-0015
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator (national): 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse

For concerns involving a licensed nursing home or care facility in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Nursing Home Complaint Guide covers the full complaint process and Ombudsman contact information.