Going door-to-door at Legends of Lindale, an independent living senior retirement community, Sharon Brown, vice president of the Smith County Adult Protective Services Board, was on a mission to inform seniors about the agency.

Those who answered were greeted with a smile, given a bag with informational material about APS and a free T-shirt.

She also made sure to tell each person about the importance of reporting elder abuse.

“We have some informational material in here so that if you ever witness someone experiencing self-neglect or being physically abused, or if they’re being financially exploited, we want you to call us,” she told one resident. “A lot of people think that if they see it happening, it’s not their business and it really is.”

In honor of May being Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the Smith County APS board is holding a door-to-door campaign, going to neighborhoods in the area and raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect.

For the last two years that the board has been active and spreading awareness in the county, they’ve seen the number of cases reported increase, with 830 completed investigations and 534 confirmed cases occurring in the county last year.

APS investigates reports of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation in adults 65 and older and adults 18 and older who have physical or mental disabilities. 

State law requires that anyone who suspects abuse, neglect, or exploitation report it, which can be done by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

Stephanie Williams, APS community engagement specialist, Region 4, said anyone could call the hotline to initiate the investigation process and that once they are alerted, a caseworker has 24 hours to start working on the case.

The first step in every case is to make sure the senior or disabled adult is in a safe environment.

“Adult Protective Services ensure elderly and or adults with a disability are safe in their homes along with their basic needs met when maltreatment has been confirmed,” Ms. Williams said. “Basic needs are considered food, clothing, shelter, and life-sustaining medications.”

“APS strives to ensure the safety of vulnerable adults and that they are not in any danger or harm of themselves or the alleged perpetrator,” she said.

Caseworkers then talk to reliable contacts, such as a doctor or, in some cases, the case reporter, to see if they may have more information regarding the case. Financial records of those who are possibly being abused are also reviewed.

From there, if it is determined that abuse or neglect is happening, Ms. Williams said they look for the least restrictive alternative to help the abused stay as independent as they can and to receive the help they need.

“Services APS provides include housecleaning, utility assistance, exterminations, life sustaining medications, rental assistance, food, referrals to other state agencies, etc.,” she said.

Ms. Williams added that APS could also provide help to those who call the hotline on themselves.

Overall, the board hopes their campaign is able to spread awareness about APS and leads to more people reporting elder abuse whenever they may see or suspect it. 

“We become a reliable source that these seniors and their families can turn to,” said Jenny Wells, a Smith County APS Board member. “Everyone needs to be responsible for our seniors.”

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