Mandated Reporters of Elder Abuse

Mandated Reporters Help Stop Elder Abuse
Older adults age 60 or older can easily be the victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. In the United States, some studies show that only one of every 14 cases of elder abuse, neglect or financial exploitation is reported to Adult Protective Services annually.

Who are Mandated Reporters?
Although elder abuse often goes unreported, Ohio law has established a list of professionals, considered "mandated reporters," who must report elder abuse when they encounter it. In 2018, the law was changed to expand the list of “mandated reporters” to include the following professionals:

• Ambulance Drivers
• Attorneys
• Bank, Savings & Loan, Credit Union Employees
• Building/Housing Inspectors
• Certified Public Accountants
• Chiropractors
• Clergy
• Coroners
• County Humane Society Employees
• Dentists
• Dialysis Technicians
• Emergency Technicians/Paramedics
• Financial Planners
• Firefighters
• Health Department Employees
• Home Health Agency Employees
• Hospital Employees
• Investment Advisors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Agency Employees
• Notaries Public
• Nursing Home Employees
• Osteopaths
• Outpatient Health Facility Employees
• Peace Officers
• Pharmacists
• Physicians
• Podiatrists
• Professional Counselors
• Psychologists
• Real Estate Brokers
• Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses
• Residential Care Facility Employees
• Senior Service Providers
• Social Workers

What Should Mandated Reporters Do if They Suspect Abuse?
Contact Adult Protective Services Hotline: 216-420-6700
Ohio APS Online Referral Portal
(Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, including holidays.)

Training is Available for Mandated Reporters
The Adult Protective Services unit provides free training for mandated reporter groups. Contact us to find out more about scheduling training for your group. The following resources can also be downloaded to help you learn more about elder abuse and reporting.