Residential Abuse

What can I do if I suspect someone is being or has been neglected or abused? Call the police. In a medical emergency, call 911. Call the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Unit (802) 828-5511.

It is essential to report neglect and abuse to the appropriate authorities. Neglect and abuse require immediate intervention. In addition to a verbal report, follow the link below to follow-up on line.

How do I know if it's abuse?
Here are some types and signs of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation and theft:

Physical abuse includes

Excessive force in treatment or therapy Unnecessary contact or nonconsensual sexual contact by a care provider Hitting, shoving, shaking Use of physical restraints Drug theft (also known as diversion) depriving patient of medicine by converting it for caregiver's use.

Emotional abuse includes:

Intimidation by yelling, humiliation, habitual blaming, harsh treatment Ignoring patient's needs, isolation from friends or family, scaring patient

Neglect includes deprivation or excessive delay by a care provider of food, water, medication, medical services, shelter, clothing, heat or cooling.
Financial exploitation is the misappropriation of someone else's property or identity, in this case a vulnerable adult receiving care under the Medicaid program. It may include falsifying claims or using access to a patient's personal accounts to divert funds to the care provider.

To file a report online, click Medicaid Fraud Report Form.
Please remember to also call the numbers listed above.