What Resources and Support Are Available for Victims of Elder Abuse?

Specialized resources for safety, intervention, and justice are available to victims of elder abuse. Victims who are at risk of life-threatening danger due to abuse should always contact 911 for immediate response. In circumstances that are not life-threatening, the following resources can be contacted instead. 

The National Elder Fraud Hotline is operated by the Department of Justice for Victims of Crime. It provides personalized case management, connects victims of elder fraud to law enforcement, and also helps freeze stolen funds. The hotline provides support to those who are age 60 or older if they have been victims of financial fraud. Case managers at the hotline can help identify reporting agencies in addition to providing referrals and other resources. 

The Eldercare Locator is an option that can help connect victims to services for themselves and their families. This tool provides access to local resources that may help with legal aid, counseling, and many other valuable services. Depending on location, many of these services offer multilingual support. 

Adult Protective Services (APS) is a resource that can be used if there are concerns about elder abuse in private homes. Adult Protective Services can assess and determine the needs of victims. It is important to note that response times for APS can vary by state. For those who are in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is another option. The ombudsman provides support through advocacy, mediation, and overall facility oversight. 

Financial scams should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Although the FTC cannot resolve individual reports of fraud, these reports are used for further investigation. The FTC also uses reports to establish cases against scams, bad business practices, and fraud. Legal aid networks can also be of help, such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Many of these legal aid networks provide pro bono support with restitution, estate recovery, and restraining orders. 

There are also therapeutic and community support resources available to those who may need them. Options such as the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) host training webinars and provide multilingual toolkits regarding safety planning, signs of abuse, and other important topics relevant to elder abuse. Abuse Later in Life Programs are another resource which can help fund services for victims such as support groups, counseling, and emergency housing. Finally, multidisciplinary teams comprised of medical staff, social workers, and law enforcement can aid in coordinating victim-centered responses. These teams can be located on the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Network Map. 

Sources 

“2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Announcement”. United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Montana. https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/2025-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-announcement 

“Elder Fraud & Abuse – Related Resources”. Office for Victims of Crime. https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/elder-fraud-abuse/related-resources 

“Eldercare Locator”. HHS Administration for Community Living. https://eldercare.acl.gov/home 

“Elder Justice Neighborhood Resources”. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/support/resources-neighborhood 

“Report Fraud”. Federal Trade Commission. https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ 

“Abuse in Later Life Program”. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). https://www.justice.gov/ovw/abuse-later-life-program 

“Elder Justice Network Locator Map”. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/elder-justice-network-locator-map

“World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025: How Can Each of Us Make a Difference?” National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Tips-and-Tools-for-Social-Workers/World-Elder-Abuse-Awareness-Day-2025-How-Can-Each-of-Us-Make-a-Difference 

“Resources”. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/elder-abuse/communication-resources/index.html 

“Get the Facts on Elder Abuse”. National Council on Aging. https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse/