What does Adult Protective Services do?

Transcript of Interview: “What does Adult Protective Services do?”

Mike Barnes:

We all hear the term Child Protective Services, but did you know there are Adult Protective Services as well, not just in Texas but in every state around the country? 

Kim Barnes:

Today, we’re bringing in Stephanie McCoy with Adult Protective Services here in Texas. Thanks so much for being with us, Stephanie.

Stephanie McCoy:

Thanks for having me.

Kim Barnes:

Let’s start first with what exactly is Adult Protective Services and what does it do?

Stephanie McCoy:

Great question. Adult Protective Services is under the umbrella of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. It’s the same umbrella as Child Protective Services and Child Protective Services Investigations. What we do is investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly that are 65 years and older or 18 and older with a physical or mental disability. When we confirm those allegations are actually happening, we go out and provide services.

Kim Barnes:

So, Adult Protective Services is something that is offered around the country, but it may be in different departments in different states or have some different policies?

Stephanie McCoy:

Absolutely. But for the most part, the general idea of Adult Protective Services is going to be pretty similar.

Kim Barnes:

Okay, so what kinds of things should people report and who can report things to Adult Protective Services?

Stephanie McCoy:

Actually, anyone can report allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. All you need is a hunch; you don’t have to know it’s happening for sure. APS will go out after a report is made and do the investigation. We investigate six allegations: physical abuse, emotional and verbal abuse, physical neglect, medical neglect, and financial exploitation. Once we get an allegation that any of these are happening with a senior, we go out and look at five areas: the home environment, financial status, medical status, mental health status, and social status.

Mike Barnes:

If something seems like it’s not big enough or severe enough, how do we know where that line is as far as what is enough to report it?

Stephanie McCoy:

Well, we always tell anyone that it is everyone’s business to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation. A lot of our seniors are living alone, isolated in their homes, afraid to speak out. Their children or other caregivers might be the ones causing harm. If you suspect any malnourishment, hoarding, medication mismanagement, or any need for provided services in the home, report it to Adult Protective Services. We’ll go out and do the investigation to see if it’s happening, and if it is, we’ll provide services to that client.

Kim Barnes:

What kinds of authority does APS have and what authority does it not have?

Stephanie McCoy:

We investigate under Chapter 48 of the Human Resource Code, which gives us the authority to go out and do the investigation and access bank records. It also gives the reporter immunity when they make a report. All reports are kept confidential, and we cannot disclose who the reporter is. If it’s a false report, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.

Mike Barnes:

So, you don’t want to just willy-nilly make an allegation. You want it to be something you really feel strongly about before you make that report. But you’re going to make that determination, and if you find that abuse or neglect is happening, then what?

Stephanie McCoy:

Once we validate that it is happening, we go into what we call service planning. Adult Protective Services works with a lot of community agencies to provide money management counseling, heavy house cleaning, extermination, help with applying for Medicare or Medicaid, purchasing food, life-sustaining medications, and finding appropriate housing. If we can’t provide a service ourselves, we’ll connect them with community partners like Meals on Wheels or Adult Day Care to get them out of the state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Kim Barnes:

How do we report something?

Stephanie McCoy:

You can call our hotline number at 1-800-252-5400 or make an online report at www.txabusehotline.org. We have 24 hours after receiving a report to contact the reporter to get additional information about the client’s situation.

Mike Barnes:

And what potentially happens if there is a person who is abusing, neglecting, or exploiting that senior?

Stephanie McCoy:

If it’s a criminal offense, we’ll turn it over to law enforcement. We’ll document our findings against the caregiver or provider and try to find the least restrictive alternative for our client to get them out of the state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Kim Barnes:

Unfortunately, there are a lot of family versus family problems where a family member reports another family member. Are those tricky situations?

Stephanie McCoy:

Yes, we get that all the time. We try to find the root cause of what’s happening and sometimes act as mediators. Once they know Adult Protective Services is involved, they may pull back. We are there to protect the client from themselves and others, making sure the client feels safe before we close the case.

Mike Barnes:

It seems like Adult Protective Services is different from Child Protective Services. It’s not about removing the adult from their home, right?

Stephanie McCoy:

Correct. We are more of a social service agency. We want to protect and keep you in your home. We are here to protect you from anything that stops that from happening.

Kim Barnes:

Are there other misconceptions people might have about APS?

Stephanie McCoy:

Yes, a common misconception is that we will remove them from their home and place them in a nursing home. Another is that we will immediately run to the client, but we prioritize cases to see if immediate intervention is needed before going out.

Mike Barnes:

So, APS is more of an advocate for seniors?

Stephanie McCoy:

Absolutely.

Mike Barnes:

If someone gets scammed, can they call APS?

Stephanie McCoy:

We do not investigate scams, but we refer them to the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, or Homeland Security. We investigate financial exploitation if someone with a relationship to the client is involved. If you have a hunch, report it. Better to be safe than sorry, as you could save someone’s life.

Kim Barnes:

You mentioned you can’t talk about open cases. Once I report something, I won’t necessarily know how it ends unless I see what happens, right?

Stephanie McCoy:

Exactly.

Kim Barnes:

And you don’t do guardianship?

Stephanie McCoy:

No, we refer those cases to the Department of Aging and Disability Services. They handle guardianship, but we work closely with them.

Mike Barnes:

For people who don’t live in Texas, they can look for Adult Protective Services in their state. Policies might differ, but the general idea is the same.

Stephanie McCoy:

Absolutely. It’s everyone’s business to make a report. In Texas, certain professionals are mandated to report, but everyone should if they feel something is wrong.

Kim Barnes:

Great advice. Stephanie, thank you so much.

Stephanie McCoy:

Thank you.

Mike Barnes:

Good to know that APS is really there to advocate for seniors and help them get the services they need. Better safe than sorry. If there are any other topics you’d like us to discuss, please let us know. Parenting Aging Parents.

*This transcript is auto-generated. Please excuse any typos or mistakes.