Voices from the Line: True stories from our Call Center - 1st week of February, 2026

There are a wide variety of reasons people call 232-Help (337-232-4357) or 211 - some may seem more urgent than others, but all receive the same care and attention from our Community Resource Navigators. We regularly collaborate with local law enforcement, local and state agencies to better serve our callers, and a series of calls that we received last week were the perfect example of this.

On one day last week, we received multiple calls from the same elderly individual. Each time they called, they made different accusations against loved ones and doctors for conspiring against them, abuse, being restricted from using their phone… the list goes on and on. As Mandated Reporters, with each call we go through the process of filling out a report with Elder Protective Services (EPS) to initiate a wellness check. In this instance, when the wellness check was completed, it was discovered that the caller was being well taken care of at home but is suffering from a form of dementia which is causing them to have these delusions. The family wasn’t restricting them from their phone to hide abuse, but rather because the individual repeatedly called not only us, but the District Attorney’s office, the Governor’s Office and more.

When we receive any call reporting abuse of the elderly, children or vulnerable adults, the only information that we have is what we are being told. It is our responsibility to ensure that this information gets to the proper agency who can investigate the situation to determine if there is abuse happening. Luckily in this situation, it was not determined that abuse is taking place, but EPS will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the best care is being given to the patient.

To learn about Louisiana’s Elder Abuse Hotline, visit:  Elderly Protective Services - Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs  (for adults age 60+)

To learn about Lousiana’s Child Abuse Hotline, visit: Reporting Child Abuse/Neglect | Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services 

To learn about Louisiana’s Adult Abuse Hotline, visit: Adult Protective Services (APS) | Louisiana Department of Health  (for vulnerable adults age 18 - 59 and emancipated minors)