What are abuse, neglect and exploitation?
Abuse is mental, emotional, physical or sexual injury, or failure to prevent such injury.
Neglect results in starvation, dehydration, overmedicating or under medicating, unsanitary living conditions, etc. Neglect also includes lack of heat, running water, electricity, medical care and personal hygiene.
Exploitation is misusing the resources of another person for personal or monetary gain. This includes taking Social Security or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) checks, abusing a joint checking account and taking property and other resources.
Reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation
The law requires that you report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, including unapproved use of restraints or isolation that is committed by a provider.
Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening or emergency situations.
Report by Phone (non-emergency)
24 hours a days, 7 days a week, toll-free
Report to the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) by calling 1-800-647-7418 if the person being abused, neglected or exploited lives in, or receives services from a:
- Nursing facility
- Assisted living facility
- Adult day care center
- Licensed adult foster care provider
- Home or Community Support Services Agency (HCSSA) or Home Health Agency
Suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation by a HCSSA must also be reported to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Report all other suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation to DFPS by calling 1-800-252-5400.
Report electronically (non-emergency)
Go to https://txabusehotline.org. This is a secure website. You will need to create a password-protected account and profile.
Helpful information for filing a report
When reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation, it is helpful to have the names, ages, addresses and phone number of everyone involved.