To report Adult Abuse or Neglect in Polk County, Wisconsin, call 715.485.8400
Adult Protective Services (APS) are provided to at-risk-adults age 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)
If you suspect mistreatment or self-neglect of an at-risk adult, and the person lives in Polk County, Wisconsin, immediately report the situation to the Polk County Behavioral Health Department at 715-485-8400.
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:
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.
Adult Protective Staff investigates mistreatment of at-risk adults. This mistreatment may be in the form of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation.
Abuse
Neglect
Exploitation
If you suspect mistreatment or self-neglect of an at-risk adult, and the person lives in Polk County, Wisconsin, immediately report the situation to the Polk County Behavioral Health Department at 715.485.8400.
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.
Each report made to Adult Protective Services (APS) is assessed by a caseworker and the APS supervisor.
Based on the safety issues presented in each report, a determination is made as to how and when to respond. If APS determines that a response, such as phone call and/or visit with the at-risk adult, is necessary, a timeframe for the response is determined to ensure that the most serious situations receive a high priority.
Some reports to APS require no or little additional reponse. Limited response is provided by APS if:
If the report falls into either or both of these categories, the reporter may be provided appropriate resource information and/or referral(s).
If APS determines that ongoing protective services are needed AND the at-risk adult consents to and accepts services, the caseworker assists the client until available services are in place and the client is as safe as possible.
If the caseworker determines that ongoing protective services are not needed, OR if the competent adult refuses services, the case may be closed.
National Institute of Mental Health
American Psychological Association
The State of Mental Health and Aging in America
American Association of Suicidology
Milken Institute: Center for the Future of Aging
The Wisconsin Geriatric Psychiatry Initiative
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging (GWAAR)
SAMSHA: Toolkit on Suicide Prevention for Senior Living Communities
The Friendship Line Number: 1-800-971-0016