When concerns of elder abuse arise, Adult Protective Services (APS) can play a vital role in helping protect vulnerable seniors from harm. Many people feel anxious or uncertain about what happens when APS steps in, worrying about their loved one’s freedoms or how the investigation process works. This blog will walk you through what to expect when APS is involved in an elder abuse case, explaining the steps they take to protect seniors while respecting their rights and independence.
The Role of APS in Protecting Seniors
APS is a state agency tasked with investigating cases of suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. They serve vulnerable adults who are unable to protect themselves due to physical or mental impairments. When APS receives a report, their goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of the senior while respecting their autonomy as much as possible.
What to Expect When APS Is Contacted
When someone reports suspected elder abuse, APS will first conduct an assessment to determine whether the elderly person is at risk. This process may include interviews with the senior, family members, caregivers, and others who know the situation. The APS worker will also examine the senior’s living environment and review any evidence of financial exploitation or neglect.
APS takes a compassionate and respectful approach to their work, understanding that seniors may feel scared, embarrassed, or hesitant to talk about their situation. The agency’s main priority is to establish trust with the senior, ensuring they feel supported throughout the process.
Key Steps APS Takes:
- Initial Assessment: APS workers gather information to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred and if intervention is necessary. They will speak with the senior and those involved in their care, being sensitive to the senior’s privacy and comfort.
- Safety Plan: If APS finds that the senior is in immediate danger, they work quickly to ensure their safety. This may include removing the person from an unsafe environment or connecting them with emergency medical services, shelter, or other resources.
- Services Offered: APS provides a variety of supportive services to address the senior’s specific needs. These may include connecting the senior with in-home care, legal assistance, financial counseling, or help with basic needs like food, healthcare, and housing.
- Respect for Autonomy: One of the most important aspects of APS involvement is the emphasis on the senior’s rights. If the senior is deemed capable of making their own decisions, they have the right to accept or refuse any services or help that APS offers. APS cannot force a person into care or take away their freedoms if they have the mental capacity to make informed decisions.
- Guardian or Conservator: In cases where APS finds that the senior is unable to make decisions for themselves due to mental incapacity, they may recommend the appointment of a legal guardian or conservator to help manage the senior’s care or finances. This process involves a court decision and is only pursued when necessary for the senior’s protection.
The Senior’s Rights During APS Involvement
APS is dedicated to protecting seniors’ freedoms and rights throughout the investigation and any necessary interventions. Here are some key rights that remain intact during the process:
- Right to Self-Determination: Seniors have the right to make their own decisions as long as they have the mental capacity to do so. APS will not force them to move into a care facility or make financial decisions on their behalf unless they are legally appointed a guardian.
- Right to Privacy: All information gathered by APS is kept confidential unless required by law to be shared. The senior’s dignity and privacy are respected at every stage of the process.
- Right to Decline Services: If a senior is capable of making informed decisions, they have the right to decline any services offered by APS. Even in situations where APS identifies risks, the senior has the final say if they understand the potential consequences.
- Right to Advocacy: Seniors are encouraged to have family members, friends, or legal advocates present during meetings or interviews with APS. This ensures that they feel supported and can communicate their needs and concerns openly.
How APS Helps While Respecting Freedoms
The role of APS is to step in when there are concerns of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, but their approach is always guided by respect for the senior’s rights and independence. APS workers aim to support, protect, and offer services that improve the senior’s quality of life without taking away their freedom to make their own choices.
If you or someone you know is concerned about an elderly person’s well-being, reaching out to APS can provide critical support and intervention. Remember, APS’s involvement is meant to help—not to take control away from the senior. By respecting their rights and focusing on their safety, APS ensures that seniors can continue to live with dignity, even in difficult situations.
If you suspect elder abuse, contact Adult Protective Services (APS) at (877) SOS-ADULT or (877) 767-2385, or call 911 in an emergency. Let’s work together to protect and support our elderly community members.
