back
to Social Services
Adult
Protective Services
The
primary goal of Adult Protective Services is to help older
adults remain independent, within their own homes, for as
long as possible.
- Provide investigation and intervention services for
adults, age 60 and over, who are at risk of or victims of
abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation
- Provide or coordinate services to help older
adults maintain their independence, such as transportation,
personal emergency response systems, or other basic necessities.
-
Information and referral services to community
resources
- Research and obtain funding for services and
products that assist older adults in maintaining their
independence
- Work with other service agencies throughout the
county in coordinating services to older adults
Services
For The Older Adult
- Investigation
- Intervention
- Case Management
Services
are provided to adults age 60 and over, and to other adults
who qualify.
Protecting
Older Adults In Ross County
Adult Protective Services are provided to persons who are
60 years of age or older, if they are known or suspected to
be suffering from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect.
Ross County Job & Family Services is required by law to
investigate reports and evaluate the need for protective services.
The
goals of Adult Protective Services are:
- To prevent, reduce, or remedy conditions causing
endangerment to the older adult by providing necessary services
- To maximize the older adult’s independence and
self-direction
- To prevent unnecessary institutionalization and
enable older adults to remain in their homes and communities
as long as possible
You can report elder
abuse by phone, in person, or in writing. If possible, include:
o
The name, address and approximate age of the elderly
person
o
The name and address of anyone responsible for the
elderly person's care
o
The reason you suspect abuse, neglect or exploitation
o
The nature and extent of suspected abuse, neglect
or exploitation
o
Any other information known
If you report elder abuse, you are immune from civil and criminal liability
under Ohio
law. You are still liable for perjury or for acting in bad
faith or with malicious intent. An employer can't punish an
employee who files a report in any way.
All referrals to adult protective services are kept confidential.
What happens after a report is made?
Ross
County Job & Family Services (RCJFS) is responsible for receiving and investigating
all reports. RCJFS must begin its investigation:
o
Within 24 hours after it gets an emergency report
of abuse
o
Within three working days in other cases
When it finishes the investigation, RCJFS uses its findings to decide if
the elderly person needs protective services.
What
is elder abuse?
Elder abuse is often a "silent suffering," a secret
epidemic which afflicts a growing number of senior citizens
in Ohio and the United
States. Elder abuse is more
than just the physical maltreatment of seniors. Its definition
also includes emotional manipulation and financial exploitation,
which many older adults suffer at the hands of their own family
and relatives. Elder abuse also includes self-neglect and
abuse among older adults.
Elder abuse is a crime. Social, medical, and mental health
care professionals are MANDATED by law to immediately report
suspected abuse, neglect (including self-neglect) or exploitation
to the county department of job and family services. Also
required to report are attorneys, peace officers, senior service
providers, clergymen, coroners, and professional counselors.
In Ross
County, all reports of suspected elder
abuse, neglect, or exploitation should be immediately reported
to Adult Protective Services at Ross County Job and Family
Services.
Indicators
Of Physical Abuse
- Unexplained bruises, welts, burns, fractures,
lacerations, abrasions, punctures
- Evidence of inadequate or inappropriate administration
of medication
- Absence of hair and/or hemorrhaging below scalp
- Soiled or bloodstained clothing or bedding
- Unexplained difficulty in walking or sitting
- Signs of confinement
- Broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of being
restrained
- Laboratory findings of medication overdose or
under utilization of prescribed drugs
- An elders sudden change in behavior
- The caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors to see
an elder alone
- Bruises around the breasts or genital area
Indicators Of Emotional Abuse
- Being emotionally upset or agitated
- Being extremely withdrawn and non-responsive or
non-communicative
- Unusual behavior attributed to dementia (e.g.,
sucking, biting, rocking)
- An elder’s report of being verbally or emotionally
mistreated
Indicators Of Neglect
- Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bedsores,
poor personal hygiene
- Unattended or untreated health problems
- Hazardous or unsafe living conditions
- Unsanitary or unclean living conditions
Indicators Of Financial Abuse
- Sudden changes in bank account or banking practice,
including an unexplained withdrawal of money by a person
accompanying the elder
- The inclusion of additional names on an elder’s
bank signature card
- Unauthorized withdrawal of the elder’s funds using
an ATM card
- Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable
possessions
- Elder's report of exploitation
Contact Information
Alvin Harper at (740) 772-7502 or harpea@odjfs.state.oh.us
Sue
Lashbrook at (740) 772-7509 or lashbs@odjfs.state.oh.us
|
