Thousands of vulnerable adult Oklahomans suffer abuse, neglect, and exploitation by family members and other caregivers. Adult Protective Services APS assists adults who need help taking care of themselves, and who may be experiencing maltreatment. If you or someone you know is concerned about the well-being of an adult friend, neighbor or relative, APS is there to listen and respond. There is no guarantee you or someone you love will never experience maltreatment. You can lessen the likelihood of maltreatment, however.
Anyone can experience maltreatment; however, here are some ways to lessen the likelihood of maltreatment. Be aware of vulnerable adults with whom you have contact - relatives, friends, neighbors, and church members. Encourage older relatives and friends to make plans for financial management and care should they become unable to take care of themselves. Vulnerable adults retain all the same rights and responsibilities as other adults until a court determines otherwise. Parents do not have the legal right to make decisions for their vulnerable adult children unless a court order or other legal document gives them that right.
The same is true for adult children who wish to make decisions for their vulnerable parents. A caretaker is a person who has the responsibility for the care of a vulnerable adult or the financial management of the resources of the vulnerable adult as a result of a family relationship, assumed the responsibility for the care of the vulnerable adult voluntarily by contract, or as a result of the ties of friendship, or been appointed a guardian, limited guardian, or conservator pursuant to the Oklahoma Guardianship Act.
ABUSE is causing or allowing infliction of physical pain, injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unreasonable restraint or confinement, mental anguish or personal degradation OR deprivation of nutrition, clothing, shelter, health care or other care or services without which serious physical or mental injury is likely to occur by a caretaker or other person responsible for providing services to a vulnerable adult.
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VERBAL ABUSE is the use of words, sounds, gestures, actions, behaviors or other communication by a caretaker or other person providing services to a vulnerable adult that are likely to cause a reasonable person to experience humiliation, intimidation, fear, shame or degradation.
