This guide is informational. Always verify how the rules apply to your specific case.
Last reviewed on October 5, 2026.
A report of concern for an elderly person is information provided to social services indicating that an adult, often with home care, dementia, loneliness, or financial vulnerability, may be at risk. The report is not a decision, not compulsory, and not the same as LVU. Social services will assess whether there are reasons to contact the person, offer support, or proceed further.
Choose a track: I want to report concern for an elderly person · I have been reported myself · It concerns money
This guide is for those who want to report concern for an elderly relative or neighbor and for the elderly person who has been reported. If it concerns another adult without an elderly care track, read report of concern for an adult. If it concerns children, start with report of concern for a child.
How to make a report of concern for an elderly person
How do you report concern for an elderly person? Contact the social services in the municipality where the person is registered, often the reception for the elderly, dementia, home care, or social emergency service. Describe specific events with dates. Call 112 in case of immediate danger.
- Find the right reception. Search for the municipality's e-service or phone number for reporting concern for an adult/elderly person. In the evening and on weekends: social emergency service. In case of life-threatening situations: 112.
- Describe what you have seen. Missed meals, falls, insecurity, the person not taking their medication, someone withdrawing money, the home being dangerous. Avoid diagnoses you cannot substantiate.
- State if there are children in the household. Different rules apply then. See report of concern for a child.
- Ask about anonymity before providing your name if you are a private individual and need it.
- Request confirmation that the information has been received. Expect that confidentiality may limit feedback.
The statutory duty to report in Chapter 19, Section 1 of the Social Services Act (2025:400) applies only to children. For the elderly, there is no equivalent obligation for private individuals. Professionals in health and social care instead have a duty to report misconduct in their own operations (lex Sarah). Additionally, healthcare may provide information about an adult exposed to violence when necessary for the person's protection. These are separate tracks from a private individual's report of concern.
What happens after a report of concern for an elderly person?
- Reception: social services register the information and make an initial assessment.
- Contact: the elderly person may be called, receive a letter, or have a home visit. Relatives are not automatically contacted.
- Offer: home care, emergency alarm, family support, day activities, or referral to healthcare.
- Investigation if needed: often with consent. Without consent, the scope is more limited than in child cases.
- Closure or intervention: the case is closed, support is granted, or another authority is involved.
According to Chapter 14, Section 2 of the Social Services Act, the social services must immediately initiate an investigation if the information could lead to a measure, but for adults, there are no fixed time limits as there are for child cases. A report does not need to be correct. The elderly have the right to know what the matter concerns sufficiently to be able to respond, have party insight according to the Administrative Procedure Act, and can have a note in the record if information is incorrect (Chapter 14, Section 6). Document meetings and request notes.
Home care, dementia, and home visits
Many searches on concern reports about elderly persons involve home care being insufficient, dementia making everyday life uncertain, or relatives not being included in the information. The social services can offer more help, but the elderly generally decide for themselves as long as they can make decisions.
In cases of dementia, decision-making ability may be impaired. This does not automatically lead to coercion. Sometimes a guardian or trustee becomes relevant. This is the district court's track, not LVU. Request written information about what is being investigated and which sources are used. Before home visits: checklist for home visits and prepare the meeting.
Concern report about the elderly in cases of financial exploitation
Concerns that someone is withdrawing money, forcing gifts, or isolating the elderly from the bank and relatives can be reported to the social services. It can also be a crime. Report to the police if there is suspicion of fraud or unlawful disposal. The social services do not replace a police report.
Describe transactions, dates, and who has access to the bank token or BankID. Request that the information be documented. Confidentiality may limit what relatives can know, even when they are the ones who reported.
Coercion after concern report about the elderly: not LVU
LVU applies to children, not the elderly. For adults, other laws may become relevant in cases of serious danger:
- Social Services Act: voluntary support such as home care, housing, and family support.
- LVM: compulsory care in cases of severe substance abuse, with specific requirements. Read LVM report step by step and LVM criteria.
- LPT: psychiatric compulsory care, a healthcare process that is not the same as a concern report. Read LPT: what the law entails and the three requirements.
If someone talks about "taking into care" of an elderly person: request legal grounds and decisions in writing. Related: concern report adult and JO report if the handling is deficient.
Difference: child, adult, and elderly
| Child | Elderly / adult | |
|---|---|---|
| Coercion | LVU may become relevant | LVU does not apply; LVM/LPT only under specific conditions |
| Intervention | Child protection | Home care and support if the person consents |
| Your guide | Concern report child | This article / concern report adult |
Can a concern report for the elderly be made anonymously?
As a private individual, you can often ask the municipality about anonymity before providing your name. Municipalities have different e-services. Certain professional groups have a duty to report and therefore cannot be anonymous in the same way. You will not always know who reported. You should still be informed about what the investigation concerns.
If you yourself have been reported as an elderly person
- Request a written notice: what is the matter about, what sources are used?
- Bring a support person to the meeting. A relative may accompany you if you wish.
- Record conversations you participate in and send follow-up emails.
- Request documents and correct errors in the notes.
- If there are deficiencies in the handling: JO report. If it concerns deficiencies in home care or accommodation: IVO.
Common questions about concern reports for the elderly
How do you make a concern report for the elderly?
Contact the social services in the municipality where the person lives, often the reception for the elderly, home care, or social emergency service. Describe specific events with dates. Call 112 in case of immediate danger.
What happens after a concern report for the elderly?
Social services assess the information, may contact the elderly person and offer support. It is not automatically coercion and not LVU.
Can one report concerns about an elderly person anonymously?
As a private individual, you can often inquire about anonymity before providing your name. Professionals may have other obligations.
Can social services force an elderly person to receive home care?
The main rule is voluntariness. LVU does not apply to adults. Other laws may become relevant only in cases of serious danger, with specific requirements.
To whom does one report concerns about financial exploitation?
To the municipal social services. If you suspect a crime, you should also report it to the police. Social services do not replace a police report.
Difference from reporting concerns about an adult?
The same main rules: no LVU, voluntary support. The elderly track more often involves home care, dementia, and financial exploitation. Also read the guide on reporting concerns about adults.
More about reporting concerns
- Reporting concerns about children: what happens when social services receive a report
- Reporting concerns from school: reporting obligation, police report, and your rights
- Responding to a report of concern step by step
- SoL investigation: what it entails
- Home visit: checklist and answers
- Reporting concerns about adults: how to report and what happens
- When the school contacts social services: the meeting with the school
- Statistics: reports of concern about children
- LVU: what the law entails and how the process works
