Article by Teebe Negasi, Adult and Aging Division
(Posted 2022 May)
The month of May is Adult Abuse Prevention Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While acknowledging that many older adults lead healthy, happy lives, this month we recognize that vulnerable older adults need protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
During the last state fiscal year, 39,185 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation were received across the commonwealth. Fairfax County’s Adult Protective Services (APS) received the greatest number of reports among all 120 local departments of social services (3,103 reports), representing 8% of the commonwealth’s total reports. Self-neglect is the most common type of maltreatment experienced in Virginia at 56%, followed by Neglect by Others (17%), Financial Exploitation (13%), and Physical Abuse (6%). A wide variety of protective services are offered to older and vulnerable adults who have been determined by APS workers to need them following investigations of reports. APS workers may arrange for various health, housing, social and legal services to stop the maltreatment and prevent further maltreatment. Services may also be arranged for individuals in emergency situations who lack the capacity to consent to services.
In Virginia, an APS report can be made by anyone who suspects that an adult aged 60 or older or an incapacitated person aged 18 to 59 is being abused, neglected, or exploited. Reports can be made to Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services’ APS hotline at 703-324-7450 or to the 24-hour toll-free Virginia APS Hotline (1-888-832-3858).
Source is PeerPlace, the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services data system for Adult Protective Services.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).