Adults who are elderly or have a disability and who are abused, neglected or exploited or suspected of being abused, neglected or exploited, can get help from Adult Protective Services (APS) from the local county department of social services (DSS). There is no income requirement. County departments of social services receive reports of possible abuse, neglect or exploitation. When a report is received, an evaluation begins. The APS worker looks for signs of mistreatment and identifies problems that might result in abuse, neglect or exploitation. At the end of the evaluation, a case decision is made.
If the APS worker finds a need for protective services, the local DSS must get authorization. If the adult has capacity to consent and agrees to protective services, services are provided. If the adult does not have the capacity to consent, a court order for APS is obtained. Services include working with the individual and the family or caregiver to identify, remedy and prevent problems that may result in abuse, neglect or exploitation. APS also sees that the elderly or disabled person gets needed services. APS reports evidence of mistreatment to the District Attorney and regulatory agencies, and court action is initiated if necessary to protect the adult.