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Adult Protective Services are intended to assist adults who are in danger
of harm, unable to protect themselves and have no one else to assist them.
With the goals being to prevent, reduce or remedy conditions causing endangerment.
Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation is a silent problem that affects
a number of older adults in the United States, as well as right here at home
in Delaware, Ohio. There is a law in Ohio that is designed to help protect
our seniors from this type of harm. It is the Adult Protective Service Law.
This law requires the investigation of reports made concerning abused, neglect,
and exploited adults age 60 years or older. Our Adult Protective Service
Advocate not only investigates, but also assists in correcting these situations
through the provision of services.
Our APS Advocate assists older adults through the provision of services
appropriate to the needs of each individual, strives to maximize the adult’s
independence and self direction, seeks to prevent unnecessary institutionalization
which enables the adult to remain in his or her own home as long as possible
by selection of the least restrictive alternative. To the extent that funds
are available, the following services are included, but not limited to:
Case Management
Counseling
Mental Health Services
In-Home Services
Guardianship
Alternative Temporary Living Arrangements
Legal Services
There are some indicators of an adult, who may be suffering from elder abuse,
neglect, and exploitation. The following are common indicators:
Physical Abuse:
Marks, bruises
Burns, fractures
Sudden fear of a loved on or caregiver
Sexual Abuse:
Genital or urinary irritation or infection
Difficulty walking or sitting
Neglect:
Unsafe and /or unhealthy living environment
Poor hygiene: body odor, dirty clothes
Malnutrition, sudden weight loss
Lack of basic needs: food, shelter, clothing, medical
Financial Exploitation:
Fraud
Misuse of credit cards
Missing money, checks or property
Overpayment of goods or services
Certain professionals are mandated reporters required to report their suspicion
of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Designated professionals, who fail to
carry out their responsibility, under law, could face a fine of up to $500.
Mandatory reporters include: any provider of senior services, ambulatory
health services, community mental health services, and home health services.
This includes professionals such as attorneys, physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists,
chiropractors, dentists, psychologists, and nurses, as well as any employee
of a hospital, adult care facility, community alternative home, nursing home,
rest home, or home for the aging. Also included are peace officers, coroners,
clergy, and persons engaging in social work or counseling.
To make a referral concerning an adult 60 years or older living in Delaware
County which may involve abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call the Adult
Protective Services referral line at (740)833-2300. When calling it is helpful
to provide the following information which will help the Adult Protective
Service Advocate in the investigation:
1. The person’s name, phone number, address, and where they can be
located.
2. The age of the person and if the person resides in Delaware County.
3. The name and phone number of a caregiver or support service in the home,
if present.
4. Current, accurate, and detailed information concerning the nature of
the incident.
All referrals will be screened by a licensed social worker and determined
whether it is an appropriate referral according to the Adult Protective Services
statutes. Once the referral is taken, an investigation will begin. Investigations
that are deemed emergencies will be initiated within 24 hours and all non-emergency
investigations will be initiated within 3 working days. A face-to-face home
visit with the subject will be made to determine risk. When it is determined
that services are needed, the individual at risk will be linked to appropriate
community resources for services. The individual and services will be monitored
until the situation has corrected itself or the individual is no longer at
risk.
If you have any questions regarding Adult Protective Services or elder abuse,
neglect, or exploitation, please contact our APS Advocate at (740)363-6677
or (800)-994-2255. Or email to info@growingolder.org
Please visit these helpful links for more information about elder abuse:
1. National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) - www.elderabusecenter.org
2. American Bar Association- Commission on Legal Problems for the Elderly
- www.abanet.org/elderly/home.html
3. Pro Seniors - www.state.oh.us/age/legalsvcs.html
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