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Physical Abuse
The Maine Attorney General is committed to the protection of Maine's elderly citizens. Elder physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation are crimes affecting the elderly community. An investigator in the Attorney General’s Office facilitates the prevention, reporting, investigation, and prosecution of such cases.
Working in concert with the Office of Elder Services, the investigator focuses on cases of financial exploitation of elderly citizens by family members, fiduciaries, caregivers, and acquaintances. "Exploitation" of the elderly is generally the improper, illegal use of funds or assets of an infirm adult by another person for profit or other advantage.
If you are aware of an elderly person who is being abused or exploited, please contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services' Adult Protective Hot Line at 1-800-624-8404.
The Bureau of Elder and Adult Services provides or arranges for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults (age 18 and over, and emancipated minors) in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
To make a report or for more information, call toll free:
- Nationwide 24-hour, toll-free 1-800-624-8404
- TTY (during business hours) 1-800-624-8404
- TTY In-State (after hours) 1-800-963-9490
- TTY Out-of-State (after hours) (207) 287-3492
To report abuse, neglect or exploitation in a facility licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, call:
- Toll free Statewide 1-800-383-2441
- Local (207) 287-9308 / TTY 1-800-606-0215
To learn more about resources and laws, please read Abuse Against the Elderly and Vulnerable Adults, 2010 Potential Legal Remedies (PDF, 5.4mb). This guide was prepared by the Elder Justice Training Partnership, a project of Volunteers of America Northern New England, the Maine Office of the Attorney General, the Maine Prosecutors Association, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine.
Resources and Links
The links below provide information regarding other private or governmental agencies and resources that may assist an individual who has been or is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
- Legal Services for the Elderly (Maine)
- Maine Office of Aging & Disability Services
- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman has specially trained advocates who can assist persons who are receiving home care or adult day care services or who are residents in a nursing facility, an assisted living facility, adult family care or foster home and others to resolve problems they are having with the care provided by the long-term care facilities.
- The National Center on Elder Abuse has information on the United States Government's activities concerning elder abuse and neglect.
- Report abuse, neglect or exploitation of a person with mental retardation
- View useful hotline numbers
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance
