If you’re an older Veteran or caring for one, help is available right now. From VA programs (IPV support, caregiver coaching, home-based care) to APS and Ombudsman advocates, you can prevent, spot, and report elder abuse—at home, online, or in a facility—using the steps below. socialwork.va.gov+2caregiver.va.gov+2
Quick answer & who to call now
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergencies, these lines get you help fast:
- Eldercare Locator (ACL): 1-800-677-1116 — connects you to local APS, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and aging services. eldercare.acl.gov
- National Elder Fraud Hotline (OVC/DOJ): 833-372-8311 — case managers help victims of scams/financial abuse. Office for Victims of Crime
- VA OIG Hotline: 1-800-488-8244 — report fraud, waste, abuse, or misuse of VA benefits/services. Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
- Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1 (or chat/text) for immediate support. (Listed on DOJ’s Veteran elder abuse handout.) Department of Justice
Bottom line: If it’s a crisis, call 911. Otherwise, start with Eldercare Locator (APS/Ombudsman) or the VA OIG for VA-related misuse; use OVC for fraud. eldercare.acl.gov+2Department of Veterans Affairs OIG+2
What counts as elder abuse—and why Veterans face unique risks
Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, or psychological abuse; neglect; and financial exploitation of adults 60+ within a relationship of trust. VA’s 2024 policy defines elder abuse and outlines VA providers’ reporting responsibilities and limits under privacy laws. Veterans Affairs
Why Veterans can be at higher risk:
- PTSD, TBI, depression, substance use can complicate caregiving relationships and increase vulnerability. Department of Justice
- Benefit income (compensation, pensions, Aid & Attendance) can draw financial exploitation by relatives or others. Department of Justice
- Institutional settings (nursing homes/State Veterans Homes) add risks that are addressed by Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs. acl.gov
How common? National sources estimate ≈1 in 10 older adults experience abuse, and most cases go unreported. National Council on Aging
Bottom line: Abuse is more common than it seems and often hidden; Veterans’ clinical and financial circumstances can raise risk—know the signs and act early. National Council on Aging+1
VA programs that prevent or address abuse
1) Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP).
On-site IPV Coordinators help Veterans and partners with safety planning, confidential counseling, and referrals. You can self-refer via VA Social Work. (Updated 2025.) socialwork.va.gov
2) VA Social Work & VHA Directive 1199 (Reporting).
VA social workers assess psychosocial risk, maintain resource lists, and facilitate referrals when abuse is suspected. The 2024 directive encourages reporting of suspected elder abuse consistent with privacy laws and spells out documentation steps in the EHR. Veterans Affairs
3) Caregiver Support Program (CSP).
Caregiver coaching, respite options, groups, and a national Caregiver Support Line (855-260-3274) can reduce caregiver stress—a known abuse risk factor. Local Caregiver Support Teams exist at every VA facility. caregiver.va.gov+1
4) Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC).
Home-based primary care, adult day health care, homemaker/home health aides, respite, and hospice can stabilize care at home and reduce neglect. Veterans Affairs
5) Veteran-Directed Care (VDC / VD-HCBS).
Lets Veterans hire and direct their own caregivers with a flexible budget—boosting autonomy and potentially reducing maltreatment risk tied to caregiver stress/poor fit; programs report high satisfaction and fewer acute-care days. Veterans Affairs+2acl.gov+2
Bottom line: Use IPVAP + Social Work for safety planning and referrals, CSP/GEC to ease caregiver burden, and VDC to customize safe care at home. socialwork.va.gov+2caregiver.va.gov+2
Community partners every Veteran should know (who does what)
| Program | Best for | What they do | How to reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Protective Services (APS) | Abuse/neglect/exploitation in the community | Investigates, connects to services, coordinates with law enforcement when needed | Find your local APS via Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) or NAPSA map. eldercare.acl.gov+1 |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCOP) | Problems in nursing homes/assisted living/State Veterans Homes | Independent resident advocate; resolves complaints, explains rights | Contact via state Ombudsman; program overview at ACL. acl.gov |
| DOJ Elder Justice Initiative (EJI) | Education & reporting pathways | Central hub; Find Help/Report Abuse, links to Elder Fraud Hotline | elderjustice.gov; hotline info page. Department of Justice+1 |
| OVC National Elder Fraud Hotline | Scams/financial exploitation | Case managers help victims report and recover | 833-372-8311 (Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET). Office for Victims of Crime |
| VA OIG Hotline | Misuse of VA benefits/services | Screens allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse involving VA | 800-488-8244 or online. Department of Veterans Affairs OIG+1 |
Bottom line: APS (home/community), Ombudsman (facility), DOJ/OVC (fraud), and VA OIG (VA-related misuse) form your core team—use the right door. eldercare.acl.gov+2acl.gov+2
How to report suspected elder abuse (home, facility, or financial): a 7-step checklist
- If danger is immediate, call 911. Then contact APS or Ombudsman depending on where the abuse occurs. eldercare.acl.gov+1
- Document what you see. Dates, times, names, photos (if safe), bank/benefits changes, injuries, medications—keep a simple timeline.
- Home/community: Report to APS (via Eldercare Locator). You can ask about anonymous reporting (varies by state). eldercare.acl.gov+1
- Facility (nursing home/assisted living/State Veterans Home): Call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman; they are resident-directed advocates. acl.gov
- Financial exploitation: Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) and consider an IC3 report for internet crimes. Office for Victims of Crime+1
- If VA benefits/services are implicated: Contact the VA OIG Hotline (800-488-8244); DOJ’s Veteran handout also lists VBA (800-827-1000) and the VA Fiduciary Hub (888-407-0144). Department of Veterans Affairs OIG+1
- Loop in VA supports: Ask your VA Social Worker, IPV Coordinator, or Caregiver Support Team for safety planning and services (respite, home-based care). Veterans Affairs+2socialwork.va.gov+2
Bottom line: Match the report to the setting (APS vs Ombudsman), add OVC for fraud, and VA OIG for VA-related misuse—document as you go. eldercare.acl.gov+2acl.gov+2
Safety planning for Veterans and caregivers
- Private check-ins with the Veteran (alone), ask open-ended questions about safety and finances; offer IPVAP contact if partner abuse is suspected. socialwork.va.gov
- Code words & go-bags: Agree on a phrase that means “call for help”; pack medications, IDs, cash card, and contacts.
- Caregiver burnout reset: Use respite (GEC/CSP), adult day programs, and VDC to right-size care. Veterans Affairs+2caregiver.va.gov+2
- Medical & legal prep: Health care proxy, POA with trustworthy backups, and alerts at banks/credit unions; enroll in text/transaction alerts.
- Facility moves: If retaliation or unsafe conditions are feared, ask the Ombudsman to help mediate or escalate to regulators. acl.gov
Bottom line: Pair practical safety steps with VA resources (IPVAP, respite, VDC) and advocacy channels (Ombudsman). socialwork.va.gov+1
Protect your money & VA benefits (fraud-proof your life)
- Know the lines: OVC Elder Fraud Hotline 833-372-8311, VA OIG 800-488-8244, VBA 800-827-1000, VA Fiduciary Hub 888-407-0144. Office for Victims of Crime+2Department of Veterans Affairs OIG+2
- Account hygiene: Use read-only access for helpers, set spending alerts, and consider a trusted contact on accounts.
- Vet helpers: For paid help, insist on background checks; for unpaid help, rotate duties and require two-signature rules for big money moves.
- If someone is misusing VA funds: Report to VA OIG; DOJ’s veteran handout details where to send complaints and what to include. Department of Justice
Bottom line: Keep hotline numbers handy, set financial tripwires, and report benefit misuse through VA OIG. Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Sensitive facts — source stamps
- VA policy (definitions, reporting, roles): VHA Directive 1199 (Sept 3, 2024), last checked Sept 12, 2025. Veterans Affairs
- Eldercare Locator: ACL public service 1-800-677-1116, last checked Sept 12, 2025. eldercare.acl.gov
- OVC National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-372-8311, hours Mon–Fri, last checked Sept 12, 2025. Office for Victims of Crime
- Prevalence/under-reporting: NCOA/NCEA overview, last checked Sept 12, 2025. National Council on Aging
- VA IPVAP & Caregiver Support: Program pages updated 2024–2025, last checked Sept 12, 2025. socialwork.va.gov+1
- APS & 2024 ACL Final Rule: Program overview and 45 CFR Part 1324 rule, last checked Sept 12, 2025. acl.gov+1
- LTC Ombudsman Program: ACL program page & GAO brief (2024), last checked Sept 12, 2025. acl.gov+1
- Veteran-Directed Care: VA GEC page & ACL materials, last checked Sept 12, 2025. Veterans Affairs+1
Takeaways & next steps
Takeaways
- Know your doors: APS (home/community), Ombudsman (facility), OVC Elder Fraud Hotline (scams), VA OIG (VA misuse). eldercare.acl.gov+2acl.gov+2
- Use VA supports early: IPVAP, Caregiver Support, GEC, and VDC reduce risk by adding safety planning, respite, and flexible in-home care. socialwork.va.gov+2caregiver.va.gov+2
- Document & report quickly; most abuse is under-reported. National Council on Aging
Next steps
If caregiving is strained, request respite and explore Veteran-Directed Care to tailor safe supports at home. Veterans Affairs+1
Save these numbers: 800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator), 833-372-8311 (Elder Fraud), 800-488-8244 (VA OIG), 855-260-3274 (VA Caregiver Support Line). caregiver.va.gov+3eldercare.acl.gov+3Office for Victims of Crime+3
Ask your VA Social Worker or IPV Coordinator for a safety plan and referrals. Veterans Affairs+1
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information and safety planning. It is not legal advice. Laws and resources vary by state and program. For emergencies, call 911. Confirm details with your state APS, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and your VA care team.