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Show For Your Own Caring This - Utah's Guide to Adult Protective Services Information Provided And Distributed By The Utah State Division Of Aging And Adult Services As A Public Service Division Of Aging And Adult Services Mission Statement Our mission is to provide the state; provide services which-suppo- in addressing leadership issues that impact older Utahns and disabled to ensure that there ts; are community-base- sys- d tems of service in both urban and rural areas of ld Grandson calls nouse. Mary hurtful names and uses loud threatening language to Mary. Mary is frightened by her grandson and gives him any amount of money re- SELF NEGLECT: Sam, a veteran, needs help managing his personal affairs. He has difficulty remembering to pay rent, buy food and ld or exploitation? dent living and protect the A: All persons who susquality of life of Utah's pect that abuse, neglect, older persons and dis- or exploitation of a disabled adults; and include abled adult has occurred citizen involvement in the planning and service delivery process. pay utilities. Sam is your neighbor. What do you do? ABUSE: Suzie, age 85 has come to live with her daughter Nancy, a young mother of four preschoolers. Suzie has had difficulty living alone because she appears confused, quested because she doesnt remember where wants his love and is and wanders. doesnt want to be left she is trying to handle alone. Other family Nancy situation but she be- members are concerned. What do you do? Q: Who is required to report adult abuse, neglect, indepen- rt Do You Know Someone In This Situation? ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION: Mary, a widow, lives with her grandson in Mary's Questions? . . . Answers! Telephone NumberFor Reporting Adult Abuse which went into effect on Nancy strikes her mother 4th of this year, breaking her shoulder, January Suzie is hospitalized and allows for a specialized the doctor suspects adult social service team to quickly investigate all abuse. What do you do? adult abuse reports within the Six County area. Under the previous service delivery system the adult abuse reports were investigated by geographically separated social workers with a dual responsibility in programs for people with disabilities, and adult and aging programs. The change will allow for specialized investigation and service resource referral, and closer coordination with Area Aging Agency staff. Area: (right to left) Dorothy Ball, Lindon Callister, John Anderson, Willie Folkes, Barbara Coefer The Six County Area includes Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Juab, Millard, Sanpete local law enforcement or A: The situation will be the local social services investigated by a qualified office. social worker who has been trained in adult proQ: If I report an abusive tective services. The vicwhat happens to tim is offered alternatives, sit-uati- me? People who report neglect, or exploitation cases are protected by law. Names are kept confidential. Anyone, who Western Region Social in good faith, makes a reServices has placed in port is immune from civil service a new, Six Countyliability in connection with wide telephone number the report. for reporting adult abuse. The new phone number Q: What happens if I dont for reporting abuse, negreport an abusive situalect or exploitation of dis- tion? abled adults and seniors is and A: A person who is requiris intended for use ed to report suspected Monday through Frineglect, or exploitto from 8:00am day ation of a disabled adult, 5:00pm only. After-hou- r and who willfully fails to phone numbers have not do so is guilty of a class B changed (see a listing of misdemeanor. the phone numbers elsecomes frustrated after sev- where in this section). eral nights of lost sleep. The new phone number, After a wandering episode Adult Protective Staff Assigned to the Six County are legally obligated to re- abused? port such abuse to either g For the present, Adult and Aging program services will continue to be delivered from local social service offices. on-goin- A: services and resources which could reduce or eliminate the abusive situation. Q: How do I learn what Social Services has done with my report about my neighbor Suzie , or Sam ? -- The social worker will call you back to let you know the case has been investigated. A: Q: After I have reported a case and feel like nothing has really changed, what do do? I Report the case again. Adults have the right, if competent, to make their own decisions which to the What not be the same Q: happens may person who is being decision you might make. All A: Disabled Adults Utah Are Protected From: In Abuse Neglect Exploitation WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES? A PERSON 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER WHO IS IMPAIRED BECAUSE OF: MENTAL ILLNESS MENTAL DEFICIENCY PHYSICAL ILLNESS OR DISABILITY CHRONIC USE OF DRUGS CHRONIC INTOXICATION OTHER CAUSES to the extent that he is unable to care for his own personal safety or to provide necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care. (Note: A person under treatment solely of a spiritual means, through prayer, in accordance with the tenetspractices of a recognized church or religious denomination, and by an accredited practioner shall not be considered a disabled adult for that reason alone.) LOOKING TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE Spring 1993 19 |