Team Spotlight: Adult Protective Services

It is the tradition and custom of our community to honor and protect our elderly and vulnerable members.

Senior Services has a caring team of trained professionals to help keep our seniors safe and well. Our Adult Protective Services team investigates alleged abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors and adults with adaptive needs.

It is their goal to maintain elderly and vulnerable adults within their family structure while working with them to assure a safe and healthy environment. Our APS team has a client-and-theirfamily-led approach to help build capacity. They provide assessments and offer temporary assistance through partnering resources within and outside the community.

“Clients and families know what is best for their situation, that’s why we

have them lead the process. We’ve got the tools and the resources and they join us in planning the direction for their case,” said Alfhonso Havatone, Assistant Director of Senior Services and Manager of Support Services. “We find this approach is effective because it’s a joint effort.”

Adult Protective Services will never remove clients from their homes against their wishes, nor do they determine capacity.

“When we receive a report, we interview the vulnerable senior and family. If we find there is cause for concern, in addition to working together to create a client-familydetermined plan, we offer a variety of wellness resources to expand the family’s capacity of care and competency,” said Alfhonso. “As a community, it is up to all of us to create a supportive structure for these families and that is why it is important that we all watch for signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation, and report it, so these families can be connected with the resources and help they need.”

If You See Something, Say Something

Anyone can make a report of a concern regarding a vulnerable elder or adult with physical or adaptive needs. Your identity is confidential except as provided by community law or ordered by the community court.

Watch and report signs of:

Abuse

• Unexplained injuries or behavior

• Fearfulness of a person or situation

• Isolation or left unattended

Neglect/Self-Neglect

• Sudden decline in personal hygiene

• Untreated health/medical conditions or self-neglect-related injuries

• Unsafe living conditions

Exploitation

• Missing possessions or property

• Sudden transfer of money/forged checks

• Undue influence or coercion in financial matters

To report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation:

Ask for Adult Protective Services at 480.362.6359.

After Hours, ask for Request Crisis Response at 480.850.9230.

If the alleged abuse occurs outside SRPMIC boundaries, contact the Arizona Department of Economic Security Adult Protective Services at 877.767.2385.