Adult Protective Services Videos
- Misconception
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All mentally competent adults are legally presumed to have capacity to make their own decisions. This means that most adults, even vulnerable adults have the right to refuse offered services. It is important to note that APS itself has no legal authority on its own to remove any person from their home or other setting.
- Self-Determination
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Did you know self-determination is the ability to make one's own choices and control one's life. The right to self-determination allows mentally competent individuals to maintain control over their lives, making choices about daily activities, healthcare, and other important decisions.
- Self-Neglect
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Self-neglect occurs when older adults, by choice or by lack of awareness, live in ways that are harmful to themselves. They may be unwilling or unable to perform essential self-care tasks, such as providing food and clothing, getting the right medical care, maintaining personal hygiene, or managing financial affairs. When a family member or loved one starts to exhibit signs of self-neglect, please call Tulare County Adult Protective Services at (877) 657-3092.
- What is APS?
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Abuse and neglect affect many older and dependent adults in Tulare County every day. Adult Protective Services (APS) responds to allegations of possible abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect involving older adults age 60+ and disabled dependent adults aged 18–59. If you suspect or know of abuse, please call Tulare County APS at (877) 657-3092.
- Elder Financial Abuse
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Financial abuse is a silent problem that robs seniors of their dignity, security, and—in some cases—costs them their life savings. The most common scams in our area are Elder financial abuse – this happens when someone the victim knows and trusts — like a family member, close friend, or caregiver — tries to gain access to the senior’s savings, credit, or assets. Romance scams – Romance scammers create elaborate fake profiles, often on social media, and exploit older adults’ loneliness to get money. Gift card scams – routinely involve callers, often from overseas, phoning victims and telling them they owe money for a debt or needed services and that they should immediately go to a retail location to buy a gift card that can be used to pay off the purported obligation. If you or someone you know may have been a victim of abuse you can contact our Adult Protective Services' 24-hour Abuse hotline at (877) 657-3092.
