Lynn Small from Weld County Adult Protection Services gave an enlightening and instructive presentation to the WELDCO Nutrition Center Managers from the senior centers in the county, volunteers and staff members. The centers are frequented by seniors for the nutritional lunches provided each week.According to Colorado Adult Protection Services, an at-risk elder is any person who is 70 years of age or older. Risks include physical, sexual, neglect & exploitation.
Often there are signals, symptoms and tell tale signs that these abuses are going on; such as changes in the person’s behavior, attitudes, what they are saying or not saying and mood swings.
There is mandatory reporting frequently required in specific instances of suspected elder abuse. At that point law enforcement and/or Adult Protective Service may become involved. This depends on the nature and circumstances surrounding the specific case being reported.
APS protects the health, safety, and welfare of the state’s most vulnerable adults by providing community education, finding solutions to complex problems through collaboration; and providing services to meet the at-risk adult’s needs… while protecting the at-risk adult’s right to confidentiality, self-determination and least restrictive intervention.
APS Reports can be made to their intake screeners at (970) 346- 7676. If people have questions, or a situation in which they are unsure whether it needs to be reported or not, they can call Lynn at (970) 364-6950, extension 6294. Reports ofabuse, caretaker neglect and exploitation of at-risk elders should be made to law enforcement by contacting the non-emergency number for Weld County Dispatch at (970) 350-9600. Dispatch will have an officer from the appropriate jurisdiction contact the reporter to take the information. There is even a Mandatory Reporter Training available online at http://mandatoryreporting.articulateonline.com
Caring for our seniors is not a responsibility to be taken lightly.