Where should an Illinois EMT report suspected elder abuse?

• A. Emergency department staff
• B. The local police
• C. The elder abuse hotline
• D. The local states attorney

Answer: (C)

When a provider suspects elder abuse, the appropriate action is to report it to the state's elder abuse hotline. This channel is the official way to trigger a formal report to Adult Protective Services so that a protective investigation can be started and necessary actions taken to safeguard the elder. The hotline acts as the central point for mandated reporters like EMTs, ensuring the report is handled by the correct agency with proper confidentiality and follow-up. While emergency department staff and the police may become involved in the patient’s care or in responding to immediate danger, they are not the designated conduit for initiating protective services. The local prosecutor’s office handles criminal prosecutions, which may come later, but the initial report to protect the elder should go through the hotline to engage protective services promptly. If you notice signs such as unexplained injuries, neglect, dehydration, poor hygiene, or inconsistent caregiver explanations, document your observations and report them to the elder abuse hotline so appropriate actions can be pursued.