Could I ever need Adult Protective Services?

It is hard to think that humans are left to fend for themselves when they are not physically or cognitively able to do so.  It is even harder to think that a stronger person would threaten or do physical harm to a vulnerable human who has absolutely no way to fight back.  Sadly these things do happen, even in the age of Coronavirus. Here is some information to help you protect seniors in your community.

As a Long Term Care Ombudsman for 11 years, I have worked several times with our excellent Adult  Protective Services Agency.  In Ventura County APS is one of seventeen agency programs under the County’s Human Services Agency.  I recently attended a presentation by their new Program Manager, Carey Aldava.

APS is a state-mandated program to ensure that people with limited abilities are able to protect themselves from outside interests, including abusive friends, relatives, strangers and caregivers.  Their services are free to clients including investigating allegations of abuse and neglect, assessing client needs, providing short-term case management and providing linkage to needed services.

When APS receives a referral from someone who suspects abuse or neglect, they complete an assessment to determine whether there is a protective issue involved.  If a protective issue is identified, a social worker visits the prospective client to discuss the issue at hand, as well as recommend other services that may be helpful.  The person can accept or refuse to accept the services of APS and their partners: Area Agency on Aging, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, County of Ventura Public Health Department, Public Guardian, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Hospitals and Community-based Organizations.

If the person agrees to their help, APS will work to stabilize their situation and ensure further protection through information, linkage to resources, short-term case management, counseling and when needed, emergency shelter.  I had the opportunity to work with APS on two occasions dealing with residents in care facilities.  One of them accepted their help and guidance after being pushed to the very limit of her patience by family theft.  They made suggestions of legal representation and working together we were able to stop the theft.  Eventually the resident was able to move back into her own home with 24-7 care.  A true victory for the good guys.

In the other case the resident was afraid of upsetting family members and refused any help from APS.  Sadly the financial abuse of this nice elderly women continued until her death.

Knowledge is power in terms of recognizing signs of abuse but they can be difficult to ascertain.  Adult abuse can continue unseen for years or be a sudden attack from a trusted friend, family member or caregiver.  Sometimes it may simply be that a person needs help because of self-neglect due to a decline in cognitive capacity.

APS is charged with educating the public and other agencies on signs of adult abuse:

• Neglect by Self or Others: Inadequate food, malnourishment, dehydration, untreated medical conditions, misuse of medication and unsafe housing.
• Financial Indications: Misuse of funds, unusual bank account activity, checks cashed by others, suspicious changes in ownership, unauthorized account changes and real estate transactions, unpaid bills and missing belongings.
• Mental Suffering: Fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression or other forms of serious emotional distress that is brought about by threats, harassment or other forms of intimidating behavior.
• Physical Injuries: Cuts, bruises, burns, unexplained injuries, physical restraints, evidence of sexual abuse and deprivation of food and water.
• Untreated Medical Conditions: Lingering illnesses, ignored injuries or general decline in heath.
• Isolation: Prevention of receipt of mail, phone calls, visitors or contact with other concerned persons.
• Abandonment: Being left alone and unable to provide the basic necessities of daily living.

Emotional and financial abuse may offer fewer visual clues, so these forms of abuse are even more difficult to identify.

One issue that I have seen is that many vulnerable seniors will not report issues with family members or caregivers for fear of being even more abandoned or retaliated against.

Adult Protective Services says that to ensure all our community members are safe, everyone must be responsible for reporting suspected abuse.  Additionally, anyone who has full or part time custody or care of an elderly or dependent adult is required to serve as a mandated reporter and immediately report suspected abuse of neglect.  Other professionals required to report abuse include social workers, members of the clergy, health care practitioners, financial institutions, advocacy groups and fire department personnel.  The identity of a person who makes an abuse report is kept confidential and cannot be released.

For more information about the local Human Services Agency’s Adult Protective Services program, call 805 904-4936.  To confidentially report adult abuse, call the Child & Elder Abuse 24-Hour Hotline at 805 654-3200. APS regulations vary by states so it is important to check with your own state before reporting abuse.  Many states do host a 24-hour hotline for reporting cases of abuse.

It is the responsibility of each of us, whether are not we are mandated reporters, to call attention to what appears to be an abuse situation involving a senior or dependent adult.  It is as easy as making that one call to your local Adult Protective Services.  They will take it from there and you have done what you would want someone to do for you.