How to Report Elder Abuse in Missouri

If you are concerned that an elderly person you know or love is experiencing abuse in Missouri, it is important that you act right away. Call the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-0210, where trained staff can take your report and help you get the process started to protect those who may be in danger or at risk of harm. You do not need to provide evidence of elder abuse when you call. All you need is reasonable suspicion that a senior is being subjected to harm, neglect or abuse.

Our guide below provides you with resources that you can use and key information about how to report elder abuse in Missouri, including what situations qualify as abuse or neglect and the details you need to share when you call to report the situation. This guide also outlines what to expect from the investigation process and how contacting a Missouri elder abuse attorney immediately would be in your best interests.

What Counts as Elder Abuse in Missouri?

Missouri law (RSMo 192.2400 and RSMo 565.184) states that elder abuse involves an action or in certain cases the failure to act, which places an elderly individual in harm’s way. Understanding the categories of such actions clearly can help us recognize when there is a need to report an abuse incident.

The following situations threatening an elderly person’s safety and well-being should be reported at once.

Physical abuse: This is said to occur when a person causes physical pain or injures an elderly individual. Common actions include shoving, pushing, hitting or improper restraint. Typically, bruising, broken bones, burns or other unexplained injuries, etc. raise red flags in such cases.

Sexual abuse: A sexual contact or activity that is non-consensual is considered sexual abuse. This becomes even more horrific when it involves an elderly person, in some cases, individuals who are not able to give consent.

Emotional/psychological abuse: Any verbal assault, threats, intimidation or isolation that lead to mental anguish, distress, fear or loss of dignity can be viewed as emotional or psychological abuse of an elder.

Financial exploitation: This involves the illegal or improper use of an elderly person’s money, property or assets. Examples of such exploitation include scams, coercion or misuse of authority such as a power of attorney that is used illegally, etc. The secure online portal HelpVul allows financial institutions to promptly report any elder abuse.

Neglect:  A caregiver must meet the basic needs of an elder such as food, water, shelter, medical care or supervision, etc. Neglect occurs when there is a failure to address these needs, leading to harm of the elder.

Self-neglect: This occurs when an elderly individual is unable or unwilling to care for their own basic needs, resulting in unsafe or unhealthy living conditions.

Elder Abuse: Warning Signs to Look For

Recognizing the early signs of elder abuse can ensure that you get the affected person the help they need right away — and before they are subjected to greater harm. Common signs as stated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri Adult Protective Services (APS) include:

Physical Evidence: Some injuries on an elderly person tend to be signs of elder abuse. These can include:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns or fractures
• Frequent injuries or repeated “accidents”
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration or obvious malnutrition
• Unsafe living conditions
• Poor hygiene or dirty/soiled clothing
• Bedsores (pressure ulcers) or poor wound care

Behavioral signs: Often, mistreatment or abuse can show in the form of changed behavior, especially in older adults. Some of these signs are:

• Withdrawal from family, friends or usual activities
• Fear, anxiety or hesitation around a specific caregiver
• Reluctance to speak openly or unconvincing explanations for injuries
• Depression, confusion or mood swings
• Unusual changes in alertness or emotional state

Financial signs: Some of the evidence of an elder experiencing financial abuse are:

• Missing money, valuables or property
• Sudden or unexplained changes in bank accounts or spending habits
• Unpaid bills
• New “friends” or caregivers showing unusual interest in finances
• Unexpected changes to wills, powers of attorney, etc.

Immediately reporting your concern in such instances can help have it evaluated properly and protect your loved one.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Missouri

Here are some steps that you can take to report elder abuse in Missouri:

1. Call the Adult Abuse & Neglect Hotline. Dial 800-392-0210 (available 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is monitored daily). For hearing or speech assistance, use Relay Missouri at 800-735-2466. Calling the hotline is the fastest way to get to a trained specialist, ask questions and file a report. You can remain anonymous if you choose.
2. File an online report. You can submit a report anytime through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services online reporting portal. This option can be helpful if the situation is not urgent or if you prefer to document details in writing.
3. Contact law enforcement. If someone is in risk of immediate danger, call 911 first. Once emergency responders are notified, you can still file a report online or via the hotline.

For nursing home complaints, file a complaint through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and contact the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for advocacy and support.

When possible, have the following details ready:

• Name and location of the senior
• Description of the suspected abuse or neglect
• Name of the caregiver or facility involved
• Any immediate safety concerns

Who Can Report Elder Abuse in Missouri?

Anyone can report suspected elder abuse in Missouri including family members, neighbors, friends, caregivers or concerned community members. You don’t need proof to file a report or register a concern. A reasonable suspicion is enough to take action. Also, you have the option to remain anonymous. Even if you choose to provide your name, DHSS keeps your identity confidential to the extent allowed by law. This helps protect someone who reports abuse while making sure that vulnerable seniors can be safely evaluated and supported.

In addition to voluntary reporting, Missouri law requires certain professionals who either work, serve or frequently interact with seniors to report suspected elder abuse.

Mandatory Reporting of Elder Abuse in Missouri: Requirements

Under Missouri law (RSMo 192.2405), certain professionals are “mandatory reporters” of suspected elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. This means they are legally required to report concerns when they have reasons to believe an older adult is being harmed.

Mandatory reporters in Missouri include:

• Social workers and case managers
• Doctors, surgeons
• Nurses and other healthcare providers
• Psychologists, counselors
• Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics
• Law enforcement officers
• In-home caregivers
• Long-term care facility employees and administrators
• Clergy members (when the information is not obtained through privileged communication such as confession)
• Other service providers

Such individuals are required to report instances of elder abuse to the appropriate authorities, typically through the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline or DHSS.

Under Missouri law (RSMo  565.188), the penalty for failing to report such abuse is a Class A misdemeanor — the most serious type of misdemeanor — which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

What Happens After Reporting Elder Abuse?

Once you report suspected elder abuse, DHSS and its Adult Protective Services (APS) unit evaluates the information to determine if it meets their criteria. When it does, the case is assigned to an investigator for follow-up.

The investigation process: An APS investigator conducts an in-person visit with the older adult (victim) at their home or care facility. They look at the safety of their surroundings, conduct interviews with the senior and others present. The investigator also evaluates the type of care and support that the elder needs. At this stage, the investigation determines whether the abuse or exploitation is happening and if further action is required.

Protective services and support: If investigators determine that the elderly person is in danger, they may initiate a range of actions including, but not limited to, getting the senior medical care, counseling, alternative living arrangements, etc. In crisis situations, they may contact law enforcement or get the courts involved to make sure that the individual is no longer in danger.

Nursing home complaints: Reports involving nursing homes or assisted living facilities go through DHSS. Their regulators then inspect the facilities to make sure they are in compliance with safety and care standards.

Not all reports result in a formal finding of abuse. However, each report is investigated and evaluated prioritizing the senior’s safety and well-being.

Missouri Elder Abuse Statistics

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, there were more than 30,000 Adult Protective Services reports in 2022, which highlights how prevalent elder abuse is in the state. Among these, self-neglect is the most commonly reported issue, averaging about 13,129 cases each year followed by financial exploitation, with roughly 6,808 cases reporting each year.

Research from the National Center on Elder Abuse and the National Council on Aging indicates that approximately 60% of abusers are family members, which underscores how often harm occurs within trusted relationships. According to the National Council on Aging, financial exploitation costs older adults in the United States an estimated $36.5 billion each year, making it one of the most devastating forms of elder abuse. A landmark 2009 study by XinQi Dong published in Journal of the American Medical Association also found that older adults who experience abuse have a 300% higher risk of death compared to those who do not.

It’s also a global crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 6 adults over the age of 60 experience abuse globally. Still, experts say elder abuse is widely underreported. National estimates show that for every elder abuse case that is reported, as many as 23 go unreported. This often happens because victims may feel isolated, intimidated or dependent on the person who is abusing them. Tragically, in many cases, older adults may not even recognize that they are being abused, neglected or exploited.

These statistics only emphasize how important it is for those who witness such abuse or exploitation to speak up. Reporting suspected abuse, even when you are not sure or don’t have solid proof, can help bring such potentially dangerous situations to light. It can also help connect these vulnerable individuals to the protection and support they may urgently need.

Contacting a Missouri Elder Abuse Attorney

If you believe that an elderly person has suffered physical or emotional injury or is being financially or otherwise abused, it is important that the issue comes to light. It is important to understand that reporting the abuse to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is separate from pursuing a civil claim. Victims of elder abuse in Missouri may be entitled to compensation. In general, Missouri allows 5 years to file personal injury claims (RSMo 516.120) and 3 years for wrongful death.

Our elder abuse attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t charge fees unless we recover compensation. Please call us at 816-471-5111 or fill out our contact form to discuss your situation confidentially.