Adult Protection and Senior Services

Boulder County Adult Protective Services (APS) staff investigates reports of abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), and financial exploitation of at-risk adults who cannot protect themselves due to physical or mental limitations. APS staff evaluates the need for protective services and provides support to reduce the identified risks. This support may include case coordination, short-term case management, guardianship or representative payee services, and information and referrals.

An “At-risk Adult” is defined by state law as a person 18 years or older who, due to mental or physical issues or advanced age, cannot manage their own resources, perform daily activities, or protect themselves from neglect, danger, or abuse without help. This person also has no one available, willing, and able to assist them and may need protective services.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse refers to the intentional infliction of injury or physical mistreatment, including: slapping, pinching, choking, kicking, shoving, inappropriate use of drugs, and/or physical restraints.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual contact. Sexual abuse includes:
Unwanted touching, rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photography.

Note: Any sexual contact between a facility staff person (those working in nursing homes, adult family homes, boarding homes, or supportive living facilities) and a vulnerable adult is considered nonconsensual.

Exploitation or Financial Exploitation

Exploitation involves taking advantage of a vulnerable adult by making them do things for the benefit of others. Financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult’s property, resources, or income for someone else’s gain.

Examples of exploitation include:

• An adult relative living in the home of a vulnerable adult without contributing to household expenses.
• An unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family.

Mental or Emotional Abuse

Mental or emotional abuse involves deliberate actions or lack of action that cause mental or verbal harm. Mental abuse can include: intimidation, coercion, ridicule, harassment, treating an adult like a child, isolating an adult from family, friends, or regular activities, using silence to control behavior, and yelling or swearing that causes mental distress.

Neglect or Self-Neglect

Neglect or self-neglect means a vulnerable adult is deprived of the care needed for their physical or mental health, either by themselves or someone else. This does not apply to a competent person who chooses to live in a way that might be unsafe or unhealthy.

Neglect or self-neglect includes: Untreated or poorly managed medical conditions, poor personal hygiene, unsafe living conditions (like having no heat), unsanitary living quarters (such as having no toilet), lack of appropriate clothing, lack of necessary medical aids, and not taking medications as prescribed.

Abandonment

Abandonment means leaving a vulnerable adult without access to the food, clothing, shelter, or health care they need. An example of abandonment is a caregiver leaving the person alone in a public place or in their own home.