Reporting elder mistreatment.

Elder mistreatment, defined as the abuse and neglect of older persons, includes physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, caregiver and self-neglect, and financial exploitation. Fifty states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to establish adult protective service (APS) programs. State APS statutes authorize APS agencies to investigate cases of elder mistreatment. Some status fund services to alleviate the abusive or neglectful situation. This article analyzes the critical aspects of state-specific APS legislation affecting nursing practice with older adults and the nurse's role in reporting cases of elder mistreatment.