Senior Services

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

WHAT DOES APS DO?
Adult Protective Services investigates the allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of “vulnerable persons” residing in private home settings.

WHO MAKES A REPORT?
Mandated reporters and anyone who suspects abuse, neglect, and exploitation of a Vulnerable Person. Any person including, but not limited to, the following who knows or suspects that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected or exploited shall immediately report such knowledge or suspicion, MS Code title 43- 47-7.

WHAT TO REPORT?
Observation, knowledge or suspicion of physical, sexual abuse, self-neglect, neglect and exploitation are grounds for a report.

HOW TO REPORT:
Call the Vulnerable Person Abuse Hotline:
844.437.6282

WHO IS A VULNERABLE PERSON?
A vulnerable person is defined in the Mississippi Vulnerable Persons Act as a person 18 years of age or older, or any minor whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living, or to provide for his or her own care, protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation or improper sexual contact, is impaired due to:

  • Mental, emotional, or physical developmental disability or dysfunction
  • Brain damage
  • The infirmities of aging

The term “vulnerable person” also includes residents or patients, regardless of age, in a care facility.

CAN PROTECTIVE SERVICES BE FORCED UPON AN ADULT?
Protective services cannot be forced upon a mentally capable vulnerable person.

INFORMATION NEEDED FOR A REPORT:

  • Name, age, race, sex, physical address and location of the vulnerable person. (must have)
  • Name, address and telephone number of the alleged perpetrator if known
  • Name, address and telephone number of caregiver, if different from the alleged perpetrator.
  • Whether or not the vulnerable person is self­-neglecting
  • Description of the neglect, abuse and/or exploitation
  • Description of the person’s impairment to perform the normal activities of daily living (meaning, what the person can or cannot do), care for to protect self from abuse, neglect or exploitation
  • Potential danger to Senior Services staff who may visit the home (i.e. firearms, drugs)

PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION?
The purpose of the investigation is to determine the validity of the report and to assess the need for protective services. Services from the agency are intended to preserve the vulnerable person’s rights to a least restrictive setting while maintaining his or her well-being.

TIME FRAME FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE INITIATED:
State law requires investigations be initiated within 48 hours if immediate attention is needed, or within 72 hours if vulnerable person is not in immediate danger.

WHERE SHOULD CARE FACILITY ABUSE/NEGLECT REPORTS BE MADE?
Report abuse occurring within licensed care facilities (i.e. nursing homes, personal care homes), or unlicensed personal care homes with four or more residents unrelated to the operator to the District Ombudsman at 601.981.1516, Mississippi State Department of Health at 800.227.7308, or the Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 800.852.8341.

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