{"id":355732,"date":"2016-04-04T11:01:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/elder\/elder-abuse\/adult-protective-services-what-you-need-to-know.html"},"modified":"2026-06-29T14:50:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:50:00","slug":"adult-protective-services-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/elder-abuse\/adult-protective-services-what-you-need-to-know.html","title":{"rendered":"Adult Protective Services: What You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Adult Protective Services: What You Need To Know<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Adult Protective Services (APS) helps older adults and vulnerable adults stay safe by investigating reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and connecting them with support services. APS caseworkers assess risk, develop individualized safety plans, and coordinate with law enforcement when criminal abuse is suspected. Older adults also have key rights during APS involvement, including self\u2011determination, informed consent, and confidentiality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the United States, Adult Protective Services (APS) provides protective social services to older adults (typically those aged 60 and older). They also help vulnerable adults and those with serious disabilities. Sometimes APS is referred to as “adult services.”<\/p>\n

APS agencies are the adult equivalent of\u00a0Child Protective Services<\/a>\u00a0and play a critical role in combating elder abuse and the abuse of other vulnerable adults. Such types of abuse can include:<\/p>\n