Adult Protective Services

The law contains certain guarantees that protect the rights of eligible adults alleged to be in need of protective services. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) provides Adult Protective Services (APS) to eligible adults living in the community with consideration to the following rights:

• Self-determination;
• Protection;
• Confidentiality;
• Obtaining assistance and participating in care planning; and
• Refusal of services and/or medical treatment.

Protective services are provided by individuals or agencies for or on behalf of eligible persons who are unable to:

• Manage their own affairs;
• Carry out the activities of daily living; or
• Protect themselves from abuse, neglect, or exploitation which may result in harm or a hazard to themselves or others.

The purpose of Adult Protective Services is to:

• Promote independence;
• Provide for individual input regarding preferences;
• Offer quality alternatives to institutional care; and
• Empower the eligible adult to attain or maintain optimal self-determination.

DHSS operates a 24-hour hotline for receipt of reports alleging abuse, neglect, or exploitation of eligible adults. The number to call is: 1-800-392-0210.

Additional information regarding Adult Protective Services may be found in the DHSS annual report Elder Abuse—It Is A Crime (.pdf). This document contains information regarding the investigation of reports, indicators of abuse and neglect, and other useful information on the topic of elder abuse.