1-800-482-8049 – Adult Maltreatment Hotline
Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates adult maltreatment complaints that includes abuse, exploitation, neglect, or sexual abuse of an adult (See Arkansas Code § 12-12-1703)
While APS investigates maltreatment complaints of individuals living in the community, The Office of Long Term Care handles complaints of individuals residing in long-term care facilities.
Examples of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Abuse – Examples of abuse include hitting, slapping, pinching, intentional physical acts that inflict pain or injury.
Neglect – Failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment is consider neglect. The majority of APS cases involve self-neglect among our older Arkansans.
Exploitation – Exploitation is the misuse or theft of property, funds, or assets.
How is Maltreatment Reported?
Report maltreatment, abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Adult Maltreatment Hotline at 1-800-482-8049. Call: 1-800-482-8049.
Callers are asked a series of questions to determine if the referred individual meets the criteria for a registered complaint. By law, the reporter’s identity will remain confidential.
Callers are asked:
- Name, person, and phone number of the person referred
- Names of family members or others who know about the situation
- The medical condition of the person referred
- Description of how the person is being maltreated
After a complaint is accepted by the hotline, a home visit is made by an APS worker, who will:
- Hold a confidential interview with the client to discuss allegations of maltreatment.
- Review medication management.
- Evaluate the person’s needs using a personal assessment tool.
- Discuss eligibility for public programs.
- Observe living conditions for safety.
APS workers make every effort to involve family, friends, and community resources to develop a plan of action for the client.