Terms in italics are defined in Glossary of Terms 

What to Report

All suspected incidents of vulnerable adults, 18 years or older, who are at risk of harm due to abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), and ,exploitation (including financial exploitation) when there is a reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is in danger of harm.

Where and How to Report

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1

Mandatory reporters who suspect or have reasonable cause to believe that an adult has been abused, neglected or exploited must immediately report the incident(s) to the Department of Human Services (Adult Protective Services [APS]) in the county in which the abuse, neglect or exploitation is suspected to have occurred.

The law requires only that an oral report be filed describing the suspected incident and need for protective services. A written report may be submitted at a later time.

The identity of the person making a report is kept confidential. The reporter will be notified, in writing, that the referral has been received, and is being investigated, or that the complaint is not appropriate for APS investigation and why. The report should include:

• Name, date of birth, sex, address of vulnerable adult.  
• Description of the abuse, neglect or exploitation including name, address, phone number and relationship of alleged perpetrator.  
• Name, address of guardian, conservator, Power of Attorney (POA), representative payee, and next of kin, if any.  
• Name and relationship of person with whom vulnerable adult resides.  
• Any other information available that may establish the cause and manner in which abuse, neglect or exploitation occurred or is occurring.

Who Must Report

Pursuant to MCL 400.11a, mandatory reporters of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation include all persons who are employed, licensed, registered or certified to provide the following:

• Health Care Services: physicians, nurses (R.N., L.P.N.), aides, hospital staff, pharmacists, etc.  
• Social Welfare Services: social work administrators, supervisors, caseworkers, etc.  
• Mental Health Services: psychologists, counselors, agency administrators, supervisor, caseworkers, etc.  
• Other Human Services: those providing information and referral, services to the aging, adult day care, etc.  
• Employees of an agency licensed to provide educational or other human services.  
• Law Enforcement: law enforcement officers, employees of the county medical examiner’s office.
• Persons other than those listed above may make a report but are not required to do so. Examples of persons in this category include:
•      Banks and other financial institutions  
•      Churches and parishioners 
•      Private attorneys 
•      Friends and neighbors 
•      Public Guardians/Representative Payees 
•      Outreach centers/Senior centers
•      Relatives