Adult Protective Services

Any adult who has a physical or mental condition that substantially impairs their ability to care for their needs and who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.

Any person, age 60 or older, who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.

When calling to report suspected abuse you will be transfered to one of the ADRC's intake staff to go over a series of questions and report your concerns. All reporters will remain anonymous. They will ask you for the victims name, date of birth, address, and if you know whether they are on a long-term care program or not. Next, you will be asked to go over in detail your concerns about what is happening and all parties involved. Lastly, you will have to disclose if you have contacted the police or not.
While we do not update reporters after the report and referral are made, we may contact them to gather more information.

After the ADRC has been made aware of the situation through a report made through our intake staff, it will be sent via referral to our Adult Protective Service (APS) staff. From there our APS staff and supervisor will look over the report and determine if it meets the critera or not to be screened in.
If screened in, an APS staff member will begin the initial investigation or guardianship process within 24 hours.

Emotional abuse, sometimes called psychological abuse, can include a caregiver saying hurtful words, yelling, threatening, or repeatedly ignoring the older adult. Keeping that person from seeing close friends and relatives is another form of emotional abuse.

Financial abuse happens when money or belongings are misused or stolen from an adult. It can include forging checks, taking someone else’s retirement or Social Security benefits, withholding access to money or financial information, or using a person’s credit cards and bank accounts without their permission. It also includes changing names on a will, bank account, life insurance policy, or title to a house without permission.

Neglect occurs when the caregiver does not to respond to the adult’s needs. Neglect may include ignoring physical, emotional, and social needs, or withholding food, medications, or access to health care.

Physical abuse happens when someone causes bodily harm; for example, by hitting, pushing, or slapping. Physical abuse may also include restraining an adult against their will, such as by locking them in a room or tying them to furniture.

Wisconsin Do Not Call Registry
Scam and Fraud Tips and Info
AARP Scams and Fraud
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Scams
FTC Scam Alert
Age of Fraud: Scams Facing our Nation's Seniors
Scam Brochure

Free National Online Fraud Support Programs
AARP Fraud Support Group
Support for those victimized and family members of these frauds. You don’t have to be AARP member, no age restriction.
FightCyberCrime
Free romance imposter fraud 10-week online peer support program, all ages.
Fraud Awareness Network
National outreach offers a weekly peer-to-peer program for those victimized by fraud age 60 and over, facilitated by Lifespan of NY’s Fraud Prevention Team.
Give an Hour
Free online support programs for victims and loved ones with peer support, all ages.
Cathy Wilson, Therapist
Includes free YouTube video series for those victimized, and resources/videos for family members, mental health professionals, law enforcement, etc.
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Dial or text to ‘988’ or 1-800-273-8255.

Self-neglect is also a form of abuse where an individual, often through no fault of his or her own, is just not able to care for themselves and, as a result, their physical well-being is at risk.

Sexual abuse involves forcing an adult to watch or be part of sexual acts.

Financial Power of Attorney form

A durable power of attorney for finances is a simple, inexpensive, and reliable way to arrange for someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated (unable to make decisions for yourself). You can give your selected agent broad power to handle all of your finances, or you can give them as little power as you wish.

Healthcare Power of Attorney form

A health care power of attorney allows you to grant a trusted person, known as an agent, the authority to make medical and end-of-life care decisions on your behalf if you were to become incapacitated. When selecting an agent you should talk with them about future medical treatment and what your wishes would be.