Adult Protective Services New Mexico

When to Contact APS

Adult Protective Services in New Mexico investigates reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of adults who are unable to protect themselves due to age, disability, or incapacity. The service operates under the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) and covers adults in any setting — their own home, a family member's home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.

You should call APS when you observe or suspect:

• Physical abuse: Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries; a caregiver handling the person roughly; any use of physical restraint outside a licensed medical order
• Emotional abuse: Verbal threats, intimidation, isolation from family and friends, or controlling behavior that limits the person's autonomy
• Neglect: A caregiver failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, hygiene, medical care, or supervision. This includes leaving a person in soiled clothing, not administering prescribed medications, or ignoring medical appointments
• Self-neglect: An older adult living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions, refusing necessary medical treatment, or unable to perform basic self-care without help they are not receiving
• Financial exploitation: Unauthorized use of the person's money, property, or assets; forged signatures on checks or legal documents; sudden changes in bank accounts or estate plans; a new "friend" or caregiver gaining unusual financial access

The reporting line is 1-866-654-3219, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need proof to make a report — reasonable suspicion is sufficient. Reports can be made anonymously, though providing your contact information allows the investigator to follow up for additional details.

What Happens After a Report

APS assigns an investigator who will visit the alleged victim, interview them and any witnesses, review the living environment, and assess immediate safety risks. The investigation process includes:

• An in-person visit to the adult within a timeline dictated by the severity of the allegation (emergencies get same-day response)
• Interviews with the alleged victim, the suspected perpetrator, and any other relevant parties
• Review of medical records, financial documents, and living conditions
• A determination of whether the allegation is substantiated, unsubstantiated, or inconclusive

If the investigation substantiates the report, APS can coordinate protective interventions: arranging emergency medical care, securing alternative housing, connecting the person with legal services, or initiating a referral to law enforcement for criminal prosecution.

APS also has the authority to trigger exigent Medicaid Community Benefit allocations. If an older adult is in immediate danger and needs emergency placement — moving them out of an unsafe home or away from an abusive caregiver — APS can fast-track their access to the Turquoise Care Community Benefit program, bypassing the Central Registry waitlist.

The Employee Abuse Registry

New Mexico maintains a state Employee Abuse Registry that tracks any individual who has been substantiated for committing abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a licensed healthcare facility. This is separate from criminal background checks and specifically targets conduct within care settings.

Licensed facilities — nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies — must check every prospective employee against this registry before hire. A match on the registry is an automatic disqualification from employment in any state-licensed care facility.

Families can use this registry as a protective measure. If you are hiring a private caregiver (outside of a licensed agency), ask whether the individual has been screened against the Employee Abuse Registry. While private employers are not legally required to check it, doing so provides an additional layer of protection beyond a standard criminal background check.

Caregiver Background Checks

All caregivers working in licensed New Mexico facilities must undergo criminal history screening. This includes fingerprint-based checks through both state and federal databases. The screening covers felony convictions, certain misdemeanor offenses related to violence or theft, and any pending charges.

For families hiring caregivers privately — through the Self-Directed Community Benefit or out-of-pocket — the state requires the same background check standards. The MCO's fiscal management agency typically handles this process for self-directed participants, but families hiring entirely outside the Medicaid system are responsible for conducting their own screening.

Key points for private hiring:

• Request a comprehensive background check that covers both criminal history and the Employee Abuse Registry
• Verify that the caregiver has valid identification and is legally authorized to work
• Ask for and contact professional references from prior care positions
• Document your screening process in case questions arise later

If you are navigating a situation involving suspected abuse or exploitation of your parent, the New Mexico care decision toolkit includes a directory of protective resources and step-by-step guidance for coordinating with APS, law enforcement, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to secure your parent's safety.

See more New Mexico guides →