Fraud and Abuse Empowering people to age healthfully, happily and safely is what we’re all about. Too often older adults and people with disabilities become victims of financial and/or physical abuse. Whether you live in a long-term care facility or in your own home, our office is here to help protect you. Senior Medicare Patrol Get help to protect yourself, or a loved one, from Medicare fraud. Our team can assist you in preventing, detecting, and reporting suspected healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. Learn more about Senior Medicare Patrol Volunteer Guardianship Guardianship for adults 60+ with a need for a surrogate healthcare decision maker. Learn more about Volunteer Guardianship Ombudsman Program You deserve to be safe and happy. Rhode Island’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates on behalf of residents in care facilities, listening to their concerns and taking action to protect their rights. Learn more about the Ombudsman Program Adult Protective Services Unfortunately, cases of abuse and exploitation of older persons are on the rise. Our office works with law enforcement and other community partners to investigate complaints of abuse, self-neglect and financial exploitation against people 60 years of age or older. Learn more about Adult Protective Services Signs of Abuse Person lacks basic hygiene, adequate food or clean, appropriate clothing Person lives in a home that is cluttered, filthy, or in disrepair Person exhibits unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior Person has unexplained fractures, bruises, welts, cuts, sores or burns Person has unexplained sexually transmitted disease(s) Person with dementia is left unsupervised Person is confined to bed without care and/or has untreated “bed” sores Person’s money is controlled by caregiver, but caregiver is failing to provide for the individual’s needs Person is isolated by a caregiver Caregiver is verbally aggressive or demeaning to the person Did you know Rhode Island law requires you to report elder abuse or exploitation to us? All Rhode Islanders are mandatory reporters. Make a report anytime by calling 401-462-0555. Reports can be filed anonymously. Resources Consumer Protection information Suspected abuse of an individual living with disabilities COVID-19 Violence Prevention Resources (En/Sp) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes