Blog adult protective services texas

Most seniors and adults with disabilities live independently without assistance, however, some face abuse or neglect by others and need trained professionals to advocate on their behalf. Others may simply be struggling with routine activities and benefit from in-home support services to maintain their health and independence. In most states in the US, certain individuals are required by law to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults to adult protective services. Other states require all citizens to report their concerns.

Each year, there are approximately , incidents of adult maltreatment in the United States. These incidents involve older adults and adults with serious physical and cognitive disabilities. Only a small percentage of these cases are formally reported to the adult protective services APS agencies responsible for investigating and addressing mistreatment. However, the number of reports is growing as public awareness of the problem—and the agencies charged with addressing it—grows. APS agencies face a daunting challenge. The allegations APS workers investigate involve physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The most common report however, involves self-neglect, when a vulnerable adult cannot meet their own basic needs.

APS investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities and who live in the community. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older that is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be eligible to receive adult protective services. Victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may get short-term help with shelter, home repairs, food, transportation, managing money, medical care, home healthcare services, and mental health services. Abuse may cause various injuries such as scratches, cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, or bedsores. It can also result in confinement, rape or sexual misconduct, and verbal or psychological abuse.

APS field investigators operate out of the offices of county prosecutors throughout the state. If the APS unit has reason to believe that an individual is an endangered adult, the adult protective services unit shall investigate the complaint or cause the complaint to be investigated by law enforcement or other agency and make a determination as to whether the individual reported is an endangered adult. To be eligible for service under this program, an individual must be a resident of the state of Indiana, 18 years of age or older, physically or mentally incapacitated and reported as abused, neglected or exploited. All persons are required by law to report all cases of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation to either the nearest APS office or to law enforcement. All reports are secure and kept confidential.