J. Duke, A NATIONAL STUDY OF INVOLUNTARY PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES CLIENTS, Journal of elder abuse & neglect, 9(1), 1997, pp. 51-68
A questionnaire was sent to state administrators of Adult Protective S
ervices Programs (APS) to learn about involuntary protective services
provided by APS to vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, neglect, or exp
loitation. Data were obtained on criteria used to assess the need for
involuntary services, types of services provided, sources of authority
for involuntary intervention, the nature and extent of public concern
about involuntary services, and the protection of the rights of incap
acitated clients. Based on responses from 43 states, less than 10 perc
ent of APS recipients receive services without their consent; and all
states providing services involuntarily take steps to ensure the prote
ction of rights. Available information from the study does not support
the general belief that adults who self-neglect are more likely than
other APS clients to have protective services imposed.