Who Can You Turn To: The Role of Adult Protective Services (APS) and Other Community Resources

Abstract

Adult Protective Services, or APS, is a social services program which operates in every state under state law to investigate and respond to the abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of adults who are unable to protect or care for themselves. APS is the “go-to” agency to which clinicians should report suspicions of the abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of older persons or of younger adults with disabilities; in fact, in most states, state law requires healthcare providers to report suspected elder and vulnerable adult abuse to APS. APS works closely with a wide variety of allied professionals, including physicians, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement officers, animal control authorities, code enforcement, and others. It is important that every clinician know and understand the APS program in his or her own service area. Eligibility requirements, definitions of abuse, resources available, and the services provided by APS Programs can vary significantly from state to state and in some states, even from county to county. While all APS programs investigate adult abuse in community settings, such as in victims’ homes, about half of APS programs also investigate alleged abuse in long-term care, mental health and/or developmental disability facilities. Other local agencies which help older victims of abuse include domestic violence shelters, rape crises centers, and law enforcement.