Adult Protective Services (APS) is a Texas state agency that investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are unable to protect themselves due to a mental, physical, or emotional impairment. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older that is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be eligible to receive adult protective services.
Victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may get short-term help with shelter, home repairs, food, transportation, managing money, medical care, home healthcare services, and mental health services.
APS helps seniors who have been harmed by family or caregivers, but also provides assistance when businesses don’t follow through with promised services.
If you suspect an adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, you should report it to APS.
You can make a report online or by phone (800-252-5400).
APS Purpose and Objectives
APS protects people age 65 or older and adults with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. APS does this by doing the following:
- Investigating.
- Providing, or arranging for, services necessary to alleviate or prevent further maltreatment.
APS completes the following actions:
- Thorough review of intakes (initial reports) to accept, rather than exclude, reports that will lead to investigations of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
- Timely and thorough investigations to determine the validity of allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
- Comprehensive assessments and identification of root causes of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. These help APS to thoroughly understand each client’s overall situation.
- Comprehensive service planning.
APS also does the following:
- Provides preventive and supportive services that come from community involvement in the protection of people age 65 or older and adults with disabilities.
- Develops resources and agreements to help families before abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation occurs.
- Works cooperatively with other DFPS programs, other state and local government agencies, and the private and volunteer sectors.
Signs of Abuse of the Elderly or People with Disabilities
Abuse may cause various injuries such as scratches, cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, or bedsores. It can also result in confinement, rape or sexual misconduct, and verbal or psychological abuse.
Neglect may cause starvation, dehydration, over- or under-medication, unsanitary living conditions, lack of personal hygiene. Neglected adults may also not have heat, running water, electricity, medical care.
Exploitation may result in loss of property, money, or income. Exploitation means misusing the resources of an elderly or disabled person for personal or monetary benefit. This includes taking Social Security or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) checks, misusing a joint checking account, or taking property and other resources.
Sometimes adults who are 65 years old or older or those who have disabilities may become isolated or ill and not have someone who is willing and able to help meet their basic needs.
Here are some signs that an adult may be being abused, neglected, or exploited:
- Unexplained injuries
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Fear of a particular person
- Lack of food, water, or medical care
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Financial mismanagement
- Missing property
If you are concerned about an adult, please do not hesitate to contact APS. You can help make a difference in the life of someone who is vulnerable.
If you suspect an adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, you should report it to APS.
You can make a report online or by phone (800-252-5400).
What do I need to file this report?
Helpful Information to have on hand when filing a report includes:
- The names, ages, addresses, and phone numbers of those involved.
- Details about the alleged perpetrator and if they are a paid or unpaid caretaker (i.e. family member).
- Details about the individual’s physical, medical and mental condition.
- What activities of daily living does the client require assistance with?
Remember: Reports are always confidential and anonymous. You do not need to prove that abuse is occurring; it is up to APS to investigate the suspicions.
There are different types of situations that can be called abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the elderly or adults with disabilities. The videos below give two good examples:
- Paul is a vulnerable elderly man, living in conditions that pose an immediate threat to his well-being, forcing a call from a concerned family member.
- A hospital social worker submits an online Report of Abuse for a patient, Donna, who is living in conditions that pose a safety hazard.
Prevention & Public Awareness
- Protect Texas Adults (public awareness)
- Partnering to Protect (for APS partners )
- Health Information for SeniorsExternal Link (from U.S. government)
- Danger from Summer Heat is Everyone’s Business (PDF Document)
- Silver Star Resource Rooms
En Español
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:
- National Adult Protective Services Association: https://www.napsa-now.org/
- National Center on Elder Abuse: https://ncea.acl.gov/
We hope this information is helpful to you in the important work you do as a family caregiver.
For more resources, subscribe to our free newsletter!
