According to the Arizona Adult Protective Services:

• Arizona Adult Protective Services (APS) is a program within the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) and is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults.

• APS may also become involved when there is a claim of self-neglect, which is when an adult with physical or mental impairments is not able to meet their basic needs (such as food, shelter, health care, managing money, etc.), which then impacts the adult’s physical health, mental health or general safety. The goal of APS is to prioritize an adult’s right to make their own decisions while keeping them safe.

• APS tries to support the vulnerable adults in their current home, and to augment the skills they need to take care of themselves by providing services that can help with challenges the adult may be having. However, APS must always balance the need to protect the safety of the vulnerable adult with the adult’s right to make their own decisions.

• APS does not conduct safety checks, but local law enforcement does. Law enforcement and APS work together, and if law enforcement believes an individual is a vulnerable adult, they will contact APS.