In the United States, Adult Protective Services (APS) are social services provided to abused, neglected, or exploited older adults and adults with significant disabilities.[1] APS is typically administered by local or state health, aging, or regulatory departments and includes a multidisciplinary approach to helping older adults, and younger adults with disabilities, who are victims.[1] Services range from the initial investigation of mistreatment, to health and supportive services and legal interventions, up to and including the appointment of surrogate decision-makers such as legal guardians.[1]
While some states provide adult protective services to older adults only, as in Ohio where the APS law applies to those 60 and older,[2] most serve adults with disabilities over the age of 18 who meet the state's definition of "vulnerable".[3] Disabilities may be due to aging, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental illness or cognitive impairments.[3]
Forms of abuse include physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse as well as financial exploitation.[3] "Neglect" can be perpetrated by any caregiver who has accepted the responsibility of assisting an older person or an adult with disabilities.[3]
Most states include self-neglect in their definitions of those needing adult protective services.[3] Self-neglect refers to a person who is unable to care for themselves due to physical or cognitive impairments.[3]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "How APS Helps | National Adult Protective Services Association". 2012-04-17. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
- ^ "Ohio | Department of Job and Family Services Fact Sheet" (PDF). June 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f O’Shaughnessy, Carol (2010-11-30). "The Basics - The Elder Justice Act: Addressing Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation" (PDF). National Health Policy Forum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
Further reading edit
- National Adult Protective Services Resource Center, 2012. "Adult Protective Services in 2012: Increasingly Vulnerable."
- Este, Stephen, 2007. "The Challenges of Accountability in the Human Services: Performance Management in the Adult Protective Services Program of Texas" (2007). Applied Research Projects. Texas State University Paper 250.
- Wold, Kezeli, 2010. "Adult Protective Services Specialists in Texas: Perceptions of Three Factors Affecting Turnover". Applied Research Projects. Texas State University Paper 328.
External links edit
- National Adult Protective Services Association
- National Center on Elder Abuse
- International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
- Adult Protective Service Association of Ontario
- Senior Abuse Awareness and Prevention
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