Adult Protective Services responsibilities include:
- Investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities.
- Conducting investigations and providing services when those adults live in the community.
- Educating the public about prevention of elder abuse.
What We Do
APS investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities and who live in the community. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older that is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be eligible to receive adult protective services.
Victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may get short-term help with shelter, home repairs, food, transportation, managing money, medical care, home healthcare services, and mental health services.
Our Mission
To protect older adults and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation by investigating and providing or arranging for services to stop or prevent further harm.
Signs of Abuse of the Elderly or People with Disabilities
Abuse may cause various injuries such as scratches, cuts, bruises, burns, broken bones, or bedsores. It can also result in confinement, rape or sexual misconduct, and verbal or psychological abuse.
Neglect may cause starvation, dehydration, over- or under-medication, unsanitary living conditions, lack of personal hygiene. Neglected adults may also not have heat, running water, electricity, medical care.
Exploitation may result in loss of property, money, or income. Exploitation means misusing the resources of an elderly or disabled person for personal or monetary benefit. This includes taking Social Security or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) checks, misusing a joint checking account, or taking property and other resources.
Sometimes adults who are 65 years old or older or those who have disabilities may become isolated or ill and not have someone who is willing and able to help meet their basic needs.
Prevention & Public Awareness
- Protect Texas Adults (public awareness)
- Partnering to Protect (for APS partners )
- Health Information for Seniors (from U.S. government)
- Danger from Summer Heat is Everyone’s Business
- Silver Star Resource Rooms
APS Related Links
Data, Statistics and Presentations
- APS Data and Statistics
- Legislative Presentations and Reports
- Community Satisfaction Survey Results Report
- See Agencywide Reports for additional reports and presentations
Handbooks & Laws
- APS Handbook
- Rulemaking
- Title 40, Chapter 705 of the Texas Administrative Code: Adult Protective Services Subchapters
- Chapter 48 of the Texas Human Resources Code: Investigations and Protective Services for Elderly and Disabled Persons