APS clients are Often Isolated or Ill; May Lack a Capable or Willing Caregiver or the Resources to Meet Their Basic Living Needs

State of Delaware, May 22, 2008

Delaware - The 25th anniversary of the passage of legislation that created Delaware's Adult Protective Services Program (APS). APS responds to cases of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, including the most vulnerable and neglected members of the community.

"During the past 25 years, APS has grown significantly," said Guy Perrotti, Director, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). "The size of the staff has increased from 5 to 13, and the number of clients served has also grown significantly from nearly 200 per year to over 1,000 per year. The need to provide help for these individuals will continue to grow as our population ages and family ties become strained by distance and the burden of chronic illness."

Last fiscal year, APS fielded over 900 complaints of which 78% were substantiated. With a few months remaining in the current fiscal year, APS has already 900+ complaints. Complaints range from Inadequate Self-Care or Self Neglect - 40% of our cases to Neglect by Caregiver – 30% of our cases to Financial Exploitation - 19% of our cases. Other cases are verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and disruptive behavior.

"When we talk about adult and elder abuse, we're talking about many things," said Guy Perrotti, Director, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). "Abuse results in scratches, cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, bedsores, confinement, rape or sexual misconduct, and verbal and psychological abuse, while exploitation is misusing the resources of an elderly or disabled person for personal or monetary benefit. This includes taking Social Security or SSI checks, abusing a joint checking account, and taking property and other resources."

In addition to growing in size, APS has also improved its capacity for responding to clients' needs by: creating an APS training library in the field of elder abuse; providing specialized training for staff; increasing community outreach and education; improving efficiency of field visits through the use of wireless laptops, cell phones, and digital photography; developing data collection systems; supporting the passage of federal elder justice legislation; and initiating the amendment of Delaware's APS law to allow for surrogate decision making.