Ace the 2026 LPCC Law & Ethics Challenge – Unlock Your Counselor Superpowers!

The main idea here is that counselors are mandated reporters for elder abuse. When a client reveals that an elder has been abused, exploited, or neglected, you have a legal and ethical duty to report that information to Adult Protective Services if there is any possibility that the elder is or could be at risk, even if the abuse happened in the past. The focus is on protecting the vulnerable adult from ongoing harm or future harm, not on the timing of the admission. Confidentiality does not override this duty; mandated reporting laws require you to report regardless of the client’s consent.

What you do in practice is assess safety, document what was disclosed, and report to APS within the timeframe your state requires, providing details such as who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred, and any evidence you have. You should also inform the client about your reporting obligation as appropriate and proceed with the report promptly, especially if there is any immediate danger.