Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD), Adult Protective Services (APS) receives and investigates statewide reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, isolation and abandonment for vulnerable persons, age 18-59, in addition to persons 60 years and older, collectively referred to as vulnerable adults.
Vulnerable adult abuse is a crime!
If the Aging and Disability Services Division, Adult Protective Service worker believes that a crime has been committed against a vulnerable adult, a referral is made to the appropriate law enforcement agency for possible investigation and prosecution.
Adult Protective Services Include:
- Investigation
- Evaluation
- Arrangement/Referral for other services
Protective services are provided if the individual is willing to accept these services.
Who Can Report a Case of Vulnerable Adult Abuse?
Any person may report an incident of abuse if they have reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, exploited, isolated or abandoned. All information received as a result of a report is maintained as confidential.
Mandatory reporters must make the report immediately after the event, but no later than 24 hours after there is reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, exploited, isolated or abandoned. Mandatory reporters include:
- Medical professionals
- Employees of hospitals and home health agencies
- Social workers
- Coroners
- Law enforcement employees
- Adult or juvenile probation officers
- Department of Health and Human Services' employees
- Mortuary or funeral home employees
- Employees of the facilities providing care for vulnerable adults
- Music therapists
Report Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Isolation, or Abandonment
To report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation, or abandonment of vulnerable adults, 18 years and older, please call:
- Las Vegas/Clark County (702) 486-6930
- Statewide/All Other Areas (888) 729-0571
If a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, the local police, sheriff's office or emergency medical service should be contacted. If the person is not in immediate danger, the report should be made via one of the designated phone numbers or online.
IMPORTANT: Please do not send reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation or abandonment to the Aging and Disability Services Division email address, as it may not be acted on promptly.
NRS 200.5092 Definitions
“Older person” means a person who is 60 years of age or older.
“Vulnerable person” means a person 18 years of age or older who:
(a) Suffers from a condition of physical or mental incapacitation because of a developmental disability, organic brain damage or mental illness; or
(b) Has one or more physical or mental limitations that restrict the ability of the person to perform the normal activities of daily living.