Adult Protective Services & Consumer Protection
Adult Protective Services provide services to older adults who encounter abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and are unable to protect themselves.
Adult Protective Services
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supervises the state’s Adult Protective Services (APS) program, which helps vulnerable adults age 60 and older who are in danger of harm, are unable to protect themselves, and may have no one to assist them. APS agencies investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older adults who live in the community.
The main types of elder abuse are self-neglect or neglect by others; physical or financial exploitation; and emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. According to the Ohio Department of Aging, warning signs of possible elder abuse, neglect or exploitation can include:
- Bruises, cuts or other signs of physical harm; broken eyeglasses
- Sudden behavioral changes, such as becoming less social or a change in personality
- A caregiver who refuses to allow visitors to see the adult alone or have private conversations
- Unusual weight loss, dehydration, bed sores
- Hazardous or unsanitary living conditions
- Dehydration, malnutrition or poor personal hygiene
- Previously uninvolved relatives showing sudden interest in the adult’s rights, affairs and possessions
- Unexplained, sudden transfers of assets or finances to an individual
- Unexplained disappearances of funds or valuable possessions; unusual bank withdrawals; unpaid bills
- Abrupt changes in a will, financial documents, bank accounts or banking practice
- Over- or under-utilization of prescribed medications or missing medications
To report suspected abuse, call the statewide, toll-free help line at 1-855-644-6277 or contact your county Adult Protective Services agency (see list below). If you feel that someone is in immediate danger of harm from abuse, neglect or exploitation, call local law enforcement immediately. Reports to Adult Protective Services agencies can be made anonymously.
ODJFS has two helpful publications: a fact sheet on Adult Protective Services as well as Understanding Elder Abuse: A Guide for Ohioans (JFS 08098), which can be downloaded or ordered at odjfs.state.oh.us/forms.
Adult Protective Services Agencies in Central Ohio
Delaware County Jobs and Family Services
140 N. Sandusky St., 2nd Fl.
Delaware, OH 43015-1789
Fairfield County Department of Jobs and Family Services
239 W. Main St.
Lancaster, OH 43130
Fayette County Department of Jobs and Family Services
133 S. Main St.
Washington Court House, OH 43160
Franklin County Office on Aging
280 E. Broad St. #300
Columbus, OH 43215
Licking County Department of Jobs and Family Services
74 S. Second
Newark, OH 43058
Madison County Department of Jobs and Family Services
200 Midway St.
London, OH 43140
Pickaway County Department of Jobs and Family Services
110 Island Rd.
Circleville, OH 43113
Union County Department of Jobs and Family Services
940 London Ave. #1800
Marysville, OH 43040
State Long-term Care Ombudsman
Ohio’s Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman (SLTCO) advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Paid and volunteer staff work to resolve complaints about services, help people select a provider and offer information about benefits and consumer rights. Ombudsman staff do not regulate nursing homes and home health agencies, but do work with providers, residents, their families and other representatives to resolve problems and concerns.
To report suspected abuse of an older adult in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the state or regional Long-term Care Ombudsman office. The Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman program in Central Ohio is operated by Easter Seals of Central and Southeast Ohio. They serve Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties.
State Long-term Care Ombudsman office
800-282-1206
Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman office
614-345-9198 or 800-536-5891
614-443-1848 (Confidential Fax Number)
Consumer Protections and Legal Assistance
Ohio Attorney General’s Office
The Attorney General’s Office assists consumers, the elderly, crime victims, military service members and veterans, and others with a wide range of programs and services. The AG’s office answers questions and investigates consumer complaints, takes reports of fraud and scams and provides information to assist victims of identity theft.
The AG’s office provides a number of services to meet the needs of Ohio’s older adults, including resources to avoid scams, investigation of patient abuse and neglect in long-term care settings, and programs that enhance seniors’ safety.
Ohio Office of the Attorney General
30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Help Center
614-466-4986 or 800-282-0515
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Disability Rights Ohio
Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to people who have disabilities and addresses issues of abuse, neglect, discrimination, housing, employment, community integration, voting and rights protection issues, and more. The organization offers an online resource directory on disability related topics.
Disability Rights Ohio
200 Civic Center Drive #300
Columbus, OH 43215
disabilityrightsohio.org
614-466-7264 or 800-282-9181
614-728-2553 (TTY) or 800-858-3542 (Toll-Free in Ohio Only)
Pro Seniors Inc.
Pro Seniors helps seniors resolve legal and long-term care issues or problems. The organization operates a legal hotline that provides free legal information, advice, and referral for residents of Ohio age 60 and over, regardless of income or resources. When you call Pro Seniors, an attorney will schedule a 30-minute consultation. Typical topics include Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid estate recovery, living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, housing, and consumer problems. Their website offers fact sheets and resources on a wide-range of important legal topics, advance directive forms such as a Health Care Power of Attorney and a Living Will and can guide you through creating a simple last will and testament.
Pro Seniors, Inc.
7162 Reading Road, Suite 1150
Cincinnati, OH 45237
proseniors.org
800-488-6070
Ohio Department of Health’s Office of Health Assurance and Licensing, Complaint Unit
The Complaint Unit located within the Ohio Department of Health’s Office of Health Assurance and Licensing, receives complaints against nursing homes and other health care facilities. Complaints are referred to the Bureau of Survey and Certification for processing and investigation. The unit investigates complaints involving home care agencies, hospitals, hospice agencies, nursing facilities, residential care facilities and other health-related services under federal and state jurisdiction. Complaints may be submitted by mail, phone, email, or online.
Ohio Department of Health
Complaint Unit
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
odh.ohio.gov
800-342-0553
800-669-3534 (Home Health Hotline)
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.