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Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) staff aid vulnerable, adults with disabilities and elder persons who have been abused, neglected, or exploited. They conduct investigations on referrals related to identified risk areas.
If you suspect an elder adult or Adult-at-Risk (any adult who has a physical or mental condition that substantially impairs their ability to care for their needs) has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, your first step is to contact APS at 262-741-3200 or toll free at 800-365-1587. If someone is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call the Sheriff’s Department at 262-741-4400 or 9-1-1 immediately.
Power of Attorney (POA)
A Power of Attorney is a legal document you use to allow another person to act for you. A Power of Attorney specifies the powers you give to the appointed person who is considered your agent. The powers can be limited or broad. The decisions the agent(s) make for you may concern your assets and financial affairs and/or your medical care and end of life choices. There are two primary types including: Power of Attorney-Finance and Power of Attorney-Healthcare.
Power of Attorney - Finance
A durable power of attorney for finances is a simple, inexpensive, and reliable way to arrange for someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated (unable to make decisions for yourself). You can give your selected agent broad power to handle all of your finances, or you can give them as little power as you wish. For more information about the POA-Finance and access to the free finance form from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Service (PDF).
Power of Attorney - Health Care (POA-HC)
A health care power of attorney allows you to grant a trusted person, known as an agent, the authority to make medical and end-of-life care decisions on your behalf if you were to become incapacitated. When selecting an agent you should talk with them about future medical treatment and what your wishes would be. For more information about the POA-HC and access to the Power of Attorney Health Care form from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Service (PDF).
Investigations
Abuse of the elderly often goes unreported because many victims don’t think of it as a crime—but it is. People are not necessarily charged with “elder abuse,” but may be charged under state law for crimes such as stealing, battery, causing undo harm, domestic abuse, and other violations. Knowing the signs of abuse and how to report it is the first step in preventing further abuse. If you suspect that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally or being preyed upon financially, it is important to step in and report the crime. Adult Protective Services investigated the following types of risks/abuse:
- Emotional abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Treatment without consent
- Unreasonable confinement or restraint
- Neglect
- Self-neglect
Types of Abuse
- Financial Exploitation
- Neglect
- Self Neglect
- Treatment Without Consent
- Unreasonable Confinement or Restraint
Financial exploitation/abuse continues to be a growing problem in this state and older persons need to be cautious about what personal information they share with strangers who may contact them by mail, telephone, or email. Those who take advantage of older persons may include family members or friends who are asking about an individual’s finances who have no legitimate reason for doing so.
Neglect is a form of mistreatment by individuals resulting from inadequate attention, especially through carelessness or disregard for the needs of others. There are different forms of neglect including:
- Abandonment: Involves deserting the care-giving needs of an individual while neglecting to arrange sufficient care and support for the duration of the absence
- Emotional neglect: Includes causing emotional pain, distress or anguish by ignoring, belittling or infantilizing the needs of adults. This includes neglecting or discounting the emotional well-being of others, as well as actions to isolate adults from visits or contact by family and friends
- Financial neglect: Involves disregarding a person’s financial obligations such as failing to pay rent or mortgage, medical insurance or invoices, utility and garbage bills, property taxes and assessments
- Physical neglect: Includes failing to attend to a person’s medical, hygienic, nutrition and dietary needs, such as:
- Bathing
- Changing bandages
- Dispensing medications
- Dressing
- Failure to provide ample food to maintain health
- Grooming
Under Wisconsin law, self-neglect is also a form of abuse. This might be a situation where an individual, often through no fault of his or her own, is just not able to care for themselves and, as a result, their physical well-being is at risk.
If an adult has the capacity to make a voluntary and informed decision to consent to or refuse a particular treatment, their decision must be respected. Consent to treatment means a person must give permission before they receive any type of medical treatment, test or examination. If an individual is given treatment without consent and does not have an activated Health Care Power of Attorney or is viewed by a healthcare professional as not having the capacity to make a decision, this would be viewed as potential abuse.
The intentional and unnecessary confinement of an individual in a locked room, involuntary separation from his or her living area, use of physical restraints, or the provision of unnecessary or excessive medication