Description:

Department of Public Health- Division of Senior Citizens- Adult Protective Services (APS) provides protective services to the elderly (60 and over) and persons with disabilities (18 and above) against abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. The Bureau of APS, as it is now called, is mandated with the responsibility of receiving and investigating all reports of suspected abuses against the elderly or adults with a disability pursuant to P.L. 19-54, as amended by P.L. 21-33; these specifically include but are not limited to reports of abuse in facilities operated by the Department and other public or private agencies and in private residences. The Bureau also provides outreach, education, monitoring, and advocacy for vulnerable elders and adults with disabilities.

Services Offered:

Emergency Receiving Home (ERH)

Program A contracted service, the Emergency Receiving Home/Crisis Intervention Hotline provides protective services seven days a week, 24 hours a day, ensuring that elderly and adults with disabilities have access to APS services at all times. Availability of the Emergency Receiving Home has proven essential to the safety of victims of serious abuse and neglect. The Shelter affords clients the opportunity to escape an abusive situation in an emergency. Without the shelter, clients of APS would have to remain in the abusive situation until other living arrangements can be made.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services Program

One Social Worker under APS is designated as Guam’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Funding for this position is paid 50% federal and 50% local. Services provided are to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of elderly residents of long-term care facilities by identifying, investigating and resolving complaints made by and on behalf of elderly long-term care residents. Facilities specifically visited are St. Dominic’s Senior Care Home, Guam Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit and the Adult Day Care facilities.

Elder Abuse Prevention

100% federal funding provides resources for training of staff, outreach and educational activities, and cost-sharing for administrative supplies/materials in support of the locally funded Bureau of Adult Protective Services. The Guam SOA will ensure that the funds augment, and not supplant, activities that are carried out for the protection of vulnerable older individuals, to include the public education and identification of elder abuse. The alleged victim’s rights will be safeguarded and the case will be managed in accordance with applicable mandates while upholding the desires of the alleged victim.