Adult Protective Services
Briefly stated, the purpose of Adult Protective Services is to assist vulnerable and elder adults in need of protection to prevent or discontinue abuse, neglect, or exploitation until that condition no longer requires intervention.
I was recently asked if APS is similar to Child Protective Services, another important agency set up to protect children. The answer is “Yes and No.” The important distinction to remember is that there is not always a perpetrator of neglect or abuse in the lives of older adults. In fact, the situation I described in the last post is a perfect example of older adults in need. One might assume they are being neglected, but by whom? In a case of child endangerment there is always a responsible party whether that b a parent, foster parent or other guardian. In the case we are discussing here, there is no defined “perpetrator.”
In this case and others like it, Adult Protective Services is the right agency to contact. The beliefs listed below help us understand that the role of APS is really not to lay blame, but to offer services in any case where an older adult is at serious risk.
Guiding Principles or Beliefs
- Services shall be consistent, if at all possible, with the accustomed lifestyle of the vulnerable adult.
- The vulnerable adult has the right to self-determination.
- All services provided are voluntary unless court ordered.
- Services provided should be least restrictive in nature and community based when possible.
- Family members and others who are concerned for the vulnerable adult should be allowed and encouraged to take responsibility. The State will accept responsibility only when no other resource is available.
Defining "Self Determination"
I would like to refer you to a post that addresses this point titled, Intervening in the Decision Making of Your Aging Parent. In that post, Anthony Morrison parses this dilemma and provides a step-by-step process that emphasizes the least restrictive intervention.
A Great Question!
So here’s where it gets tricky. When does the risk of self harm trump self-determination? Great question! And it’s one that APS agency workers confront regularly. As you might imagine, there is no simple answer to this question. Every case is different and in every case the worker must be willing to consider many complex issues including answering:
- What constitutes “Immediate and Real Danger?”
- Who is being harmed by the decisions made by the older adult?
- At what point should a Public Guardian be considered?
I have spoken with many professionals regarding this issue and received a number of suggestions. The most common one is very practical. If you believe and older adult is in danger of self-harm, neglect or a victim of abuse, call Adult Protective Services, ask to speak with a professional agency representative such as a social worker and then discuss the situation. If you choose, the call can be made anonymously. By calling and speaking with someone well versed in the nuances of the law and the agency’s role, you can ask general or specific questions without ever mentioning the older adult’s name.
Making this call will often provide you with enough information to then decide your next step. After this initial call, you may wish to then seek counsel from others in the neighborhood, clergy or even a distant relative that you know cannot be present.
I welcome comments on this post. Remember that I am speaking generally about a topic that can be extremely complex. Please feel free to submit questions you have about this topic or about a more specific situation or dilemma.
Grow old with me! The best is yet to be. ~Robert Browning
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