Fairfield JFS Nav
 
   Adult Protective Services

 


Adult Protective Services Referral Form


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 for older adults, age 60 and over, who are at risk of or victims of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation

  • Provide or coordinate services that help older adults maintain their independence, such as transportation, personal emergency response systems, or other basic necessities.

  • Act as a referral source for older adults in need of other services

  • 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 (through LifeNet, the older adult Multidisciplinary Team)

Adult Protective Services of Fairfield County

Committed to protecting, serving, and advocating for older adults.

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody... I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. We must find each other.
     - Mother Teresa

Adult Protective Services
239 West Main Street
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(740) 687-6812 or (800) 450-8845

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 Fairfield 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.

Fairfield 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

All referrals to adult protective services are kept confidential.

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 Fairfield County, all reports of suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation should be immediately reported to Adult Protective Services at Fairfield 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

 



Fairfield JFS Nav

 

Fairfield JFS Nav