Who are At-Risk Adults?

In Colorado, the definition of an At-Risk Adult

encompasses two components. The individual must be 18 ears
old or older. The At- Risk adult is defined to be
!"nable to perform or obtain services necessar for his#her
health, safet, or welfare!
!$ack sufficient understandin% or capacit to make or
communicate responsible decisions concernin% his#her
person affairs!
-Colorado &epartment of 'uman (ervices, A)(
A Little About Colorado APS
Colorado will be a mandated reportin% state for At-Risk adults
startin% *ul 1st.
&enver Count A)( is staffed b 1+ emploees. This is the lar%est
staffed A)( in Colorado.
Caseloads are about ,- persons
These caseloads include 1--1. on%oin% cases and .-1/
intakes cases. 0-. new cases are assi%ned a month.
A)( currentl utili1es 0/ --/ nursin% homes and has about
12/ %uardianships alone.
Challenges APS Faces
A)( has ver little fundin%. The work with outside resources
to aid the At-Risk Adults with their needs.
A)( does not have the authorit to help an At-Risk Adult that
sas !3o! to them, no matter how dire the situation ma be.
References
Cashman, 4. 5,/106 7ore about colorado8s new law on mandator reportin% of elder abuse. Received from
http9##www.denverelderlaw.or%#more-about-colorados-new-law-on-mandator-reportin%-of-elder-abuse#
Colorado &epartment of 'uman (ervices 5,/106 Adult protective services. Received from
http9##www.colorado.%ov#cs#(atellite#C&'(-:et&is#C4;3#1,-1-<-001<8.
Denver County
Adult Protective Services
(APS)
Speak up for At-Risk Adults
If ou see an si%ns of9
Sudden chan%es in behavior, finances, or
lifestle
Phsical in=uries, dehdration, or
malnourishment
E>treme withdrawal, depression, or an>iet
Absence of basic care or necessities
Kept awa fro others
Unsanitar livin% conditions
Personal items or mone missin%

-Adult )rotective (ervices, &enver Colorado
"Approximately 450,000 elderly experiences abuse in 1996
nationwide. If selfne!lect is included, t"e number is 551,000."
National Incidence Study on Elder Abuse
Who is a Mandated Reorter? !"uick List#
!$hose highlighted are the sa%e &or CPS#
'ealth Care Pro(iders- Ph)sicians* nurses* etc
'ealth Care Facilities and Mental 'ealth
+nstitutions-Ps)chologists* Social Workers*
etc
Cler% 7embers
La, En&orce%ent and o&&icials
Court-Aointed guardians
Fire Fighters
Communit Centers (taff 5(enior centers6
)ersonnel of banks and other financial institutions
Care ro(iders
HOW TO RPORT
Call Adult Protective Services
!"#$%&&$"%%&
or
Call %''
Reports are Confidential(
$ei%h 'in1e, personal communication, April, 2/ ,/10