DHS Releases Data Report for Adult Protective Services

The Oregon Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services (APS) data report  is now available online.
 
For more information go to the DHS Elder Abuse and Neglect site.

"This is an important step to helping Oregon better understand our state's adult abuse trends more clearly so that we can target our abuse-prevention efforts to have the greatest impact," said Erinn Kelley-Siel, DHS Director.

Here are a few key facts about adult abuse in Oregon:

• In 2010, the Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services received more than 27,000 reports of potential abuse.
• 2,608 Oregon seniors and adults with physical disabilities were victims of abuse or self-neglect in 2010.
• Fewer than 2% of residents in licensed care facilities were found to have been victims of abuse in 2010 — but even one victim of abuse is one too many. Neglect was the most common type of abuse experienced by seniors in Oregon facilities in 2010. Financial exploitation was the most common abuse found in community settings.
• 85 percent of founded abuse happened to seniors and adults with physical disabilities in their own homes, 15 percent of founded abuse happened in licensed care settings.
• In facilities, a direct caregiver was the most common perpetrator. In the community, family members or close friends were the most common perpetrators of adult abuse in 2010.

All of us have a role to play to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities feel safe and are safe in our communities" Kelley-Siel said. "My hope is that the information included in this report will raise awareness and inspire continued commitment to action on this important issue."

DHS plans to issue this report annually as one way to track whether improvement efforts are having an impact.