Adult Protective Services: Recognizing and Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Jul 2, 2024

Adult Protective Services: Recognizing and Reporting Abuse and Neglect 🛡️

Introduction

  • Focus on Adult Protective Services (APS)
  • Mandatory reporting responsibilities
  • APS covers abuse/neglect (including self-neglect) and financial exploitation

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse

  • Slapping, hitting, beating, bruising
  • Causing physical pain, injury, or suffering
  • Confinement against will (locking in a room, tying to furniture)
  • Report if abuse is present

Emotional Abuse

  • Creating emotional pain/distress/anguish
  • Use of threats, intimidation, humiliation
  • Insults, yelling, threats of harm, isolation
  • Nonverbal actions (throwing objects, glaring)

Sexual Abuse

  • Use of physical force, threats, coercion for non-consensual actions
  • Particularly affects vulnerable adults who can’t consent

Signs of Abuse and When to Report

  • Checklist of signs: bruising, unexplained marks, strangulation, fractures, burns, bed sores, over/under medicating, inappropriate clothing, control of movement
  • When to report: life-threatening situations, suspected abuse of any form, APS involvement if signs are pivotal

Risk Factors for Abuse

  • Family crisis, stress, domestic conflicts
  • Depression, sudden loss of self-confidence
  • Noticeable withdrawal, lack of socialization

Types of Neglect

Physical Neglect

Emotional Neglect

Abandonment

Isolation

Financial Neglect

Self-Neglect

Signs of Neglect and When to Report

  • Checklist: sudden inability to meet physical/psychological needs, disappearance from social contacts, malnourished appearance, disheveled clothing, failed caregiver attendance
  • Risk Factors: excessive stress on caregivers, lack of resources/support, increased caregiver responsibilities

Self-Neglect

Definition

  • Involves adults unable to meet personal needs, threatening their health/safety

Signs

  • Not going to the doctor, not taking medication, inadequate nutrition, unsafe housing, poor hygiene, refusal of help

Risk Factors

  • Recent loss of a loved one, worsening medical problems, lack of social contact, cognitive impairments

Financial Exploitation

Types and Signs

  • Theft: stealing assets without consent
  • Fraud: acts of dishonesty with assets
  • Real Estate Exploitation: unauthorized sales/transfers of property
  • Contractor Exploitation: payments for incomplete work
  • Lottery Scams: soliciting payments for false prizes

Risk Factors

  • Excessive spending, lack of financial oversight, unfamiliarity with technology/modern payments, cognitive impairments, social isolation

Practice Questions

Question 1

Scenario: 81-year-old client with dementia, disheveled appearance, unable to recall last bath.

Answer: Contact APS for support due to signs of self-neglect and heightened vulnerability (Answer: A).

Question 2

Scenario: 81-year-old client struggles with organizing medication and small tasks.

Answer: Explore client's support system to understand living situation and identify support (Answer: B).

Conclusion

  • Importance of mandatory reporting for APS

  • Remembering the signs and when to make a report

  • Practice regularly to stay prepared for exams and real-world scenarios

  • Consistency in studying: two practice questions a day, one practice exam a month

  • Continuing with social work journey and being prepared for licensing exams

Resources:

  • NAPSA Donation Information
  • Official site link for more information

Closing: Keep up consistent study practices, pass the exam, and support APS initiatives to protect vulnerable adults.