To report Adult Abuse or Neglect in Douglas County call 303-663-6270Adult Protection Services (APS) are provided to at-risk-adults aged 18 and older who, due to age or disability, are unable to protect themselves and have no one to advocate on their behalf. The Adult Protection program deals with reports of Abuse – physical or sexual; Neglect – caregiver or self; and Financial Exploitation. You can also learn what happens when you report adult abuse.
If you suspect mistreatment or self-neglect of an at-risk adult, and the person lives in Douglas County, immediately report the situation to the Douglas County Department of Human Services at 303-663-6270.
When making a report, please have as much of the following information ready to provide:
It’s okay to make a report even if you are not able to answer all of the questions.
The identity of a person reporting concerns about an at-risk adult is confidential, he or she may remain anonymous when making a report. However, it is very helpful if the reporting person provides some means by which the caseworker can re-contact him or her for additional information. Getting additional information from the reporting person may help to provide a better outcome for the at-risk adult.
If the reporting person believes the person was at-risk and in danger and he or she made the report in good faith, there is no liability to the reporting person should the information provided turn out to be false or incomplete.
The purpose of the Adult Protective Services program is to protect adults who cannot protect themselves. These adults are known as “at-risk adults.” They are considered to be at risk of mistreatment or self-neglect because:
In Colorado, an “at-risk adult” is defined as “an individual eighteen years of age or older who is susceptible to mistreatment or self-neglect because the individual is unable to perform or obtain services necessary for the individual’s health, safety, or welfare or lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning the individual’s person or affairs.” Adults who might meet the definition of an at-risk adult include adults in unsafe situations who have developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, major mental illnesses, or neurological or cognitive deficits. Older adults who are frail and unable to perform typical activities of daily living and who are in unsafe situations may also meet the definition of an at-risk adult.
If you suspect mistreatment or self-neglect of an at-risk adult, and the person lives in Douglas County, immediately report the situation to the Douglas County Department of Human Services at 303-663-6270.
Adult Protection Stahttp://teL:3036636270ff investigates the mistreatment of at-risk adults. This mistreatment may be in the form of Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation.
Abuse
Neglect
Exploitation
When providing protective services, APS strives to secure the safety and protection of the at-risk adult and to ensure, as much as possible, that each case is handled with priority given to the following principals:
Douglas County is not in the position to become the guardian or conservator for Adult Protection clients. Every effort will be made to find a family member or friend to take on this role.
Adult Protection interventions may include access and support for:
