Find Help

Are you concerned about a friend, relative or neighbor:

• whose financial situation has altered
• who no longer attends meetings, church or neighborhood gatherings
• who appears depressed or withdrawn
• who appears nervous or quiet around a family member or caregiver
• who is isolated and no longer sees visitors
• who tries to conceal or "explain away" bruises

Even if you are not sure, please call with any questions and concerns you may have.

Adult Protective Service Hotline:

1-800-624-8404 (24 hours)

The Maine Department of Human Services, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services, is responsible for providing or arranging for services to protect adults who are unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation. APS staff also petition for Public Guardianship and/or Conservatorship of incapacitated adults when less restrictive alternatives have failed. APS Intake is available 24 hours. Your confidential report will be sent to the regional office closest to the victim and the APS professional responsible for your report will contact you.

What Can Adult Protective Services Staff Do?

• Investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation
• Arrange services to help make adults safe
• Arrange services to allow adults the most personal freedom possible
• Seek guardianship and/or conservatorship of adults who are unable to make these decisions for themselves

Family Crisis Services Hotline:

1-800-537-6066 (24 hrs)

Family Crisis Services is a non-profit domestic violence agency for Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties. FCS provides Individual and group support, 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Elder Advocacy. Outreach offices in Portland, Bridgton and Brunswick provide court advocacy and assistance with Protection from Abuse Orders. Further information about FCS programs is available at the website.

How can Family Crisis Services help?

• FCS offers a 24-hour, confidential, emergency hotline which operates on a callback system
• Safety is our main concern; an advocate will call back at a safe number and time that caller provides
• Follow-up contact is made during regular business hours to offer information and support, with caller's permission. If not safe to do so, they may request Elder Advocate's telephone number
• FCS provides a safe place to discuss concerns and problems you may have about someone or that you may be experiencing yourself

Maine Legal Services for the Elderly Helpline:

1-800-750-5353 (Business hours)

LSE is a non-profit agency providing free civil (non-criminal) legal services to Maine residents age 60 years and older. LSE offers a statewide legal Hotline, which serves as an intake and referral center for most cases. Appropriate cases will be referred from the Hotline to one of the regional staff attorneys.

What Can LSE Staff Do About Elder Abuse?

• Answer questions and give legal advice in person or over the phone
• Speak with others on a client's behalf
• Meet with clients in their home
• Make appropriate agency referrals, including referrals for criminal prosecution
• Draft/revoke powers of attorney
• Seek legal remedies in court-including protection from abuse and harassment orders, and civil recovery of financial/property losses
• Defend against guardianship/conservatorship actions
• Provide civil legal services in a wide array of related areas, including housing, consumer credit, long term care, public benefits and insurance

What LSE Staff CANNOT Do:

• Represent an incapacitated elder (except via their legal guardian)
• Speak with family, friends or service providers of a client without the client's prior consent
• Take any legal action not approved by our client
• Initiate a guardianship/conservatorship proceeding

Emergency Phone Numbers for Maine State Police:

General Emergency Numbers:

If you are in immediate physical danger or fear that someone you know is in immediate danger, please call your local police department. or sheriff's department.