Adult Protective Services (APS)

Every year in Arizona, DES receives thousands of reports alleging that a vulnerable adult (including individuals with Developmental Disabilities and the Elderly) are the victims of neglect, abuse or exploitation.

The most common of these allegations involve self-neglect situations where the adult’s safety or well-being is being compromised by their inability to take care of their basic needs, their medical needs, their finances, their home environment or their personal hygiene. In less frequent cases, vulnerable adults may be the victims of neglect, financial exploitation or physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Adult Protective Services (APS) can help. Working in partnership with law enforcement, the courts, and community-based service providers, APS can assist in placing services and supports that help protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect or exploitation, and help them live as independently as possible.

Some of the specific services provided by APS and its partners – such as the local Area Agencies on Aging – include home and community living supports, like meals delivered to their homes, housekeeping, and home nursing. They also include respite and support services (to individuals who are caring for a vulnerable adult), and the legal services assistance program, which can help with issues such as powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and landlord/tenant agreements to older persons who are unable to manage their own affairs.