Working with Self-Neglecting Vulnerable Adults - What San Francisco APS is Trying

42 Pages·2017·2.49 MB·English

by  Jules Plumadore

Working with Self-Neglecting Vulnerable
Adults - What San Francisco APS is Trying

Akiles Ceron, MSW
Gloria Wong, LCSW
Ragina Gibson, LMFT

San Francisco APS
High Risk Self-Neglect
Unit (HRSN) Pilot Program
2018 ICHC Theme: “Think Outside
the Boxes: Innovation in Action”

A new approach in APS Practice, focused
on:
1. Safe and independent living
2. Eviction Prevention
What is APS?
A State mandated program

Receive and respond to reports of abuse

Abuse includes neglect and self-neglect

Provide preventive and remedial services

Elders (65 and over) and Dependent Adults
What is Self-Neglect?
• Failure of an elder or dependent adult to satisfy
these needs below for himself or herself as a result
of poor cognitive functioning, mental limitation,
substance abuse, or chronic poor health:

1. Personal hygiene, or in the provision of food,
clothing, or shelter.
2. Medical care for physical and mental health needs.
3. Protection from health and safety hazards.
4. Prevention from malnutrition or dehydration.
SF APS Dashboard
What is it that SF APS Workers see?

Health and Safety Hazards:

Hoarding – Persistent difficulty
discarding personal possessions,
even those with apparently useless
value.

Squalor – Unsanitary conditions
resulting from problems with
personal/domestic hygiene.
Examples include rotten food and
evidence of human/animal
excrement.

What does this mean for the Adult at Risk?

Potential loss of housing:

Deterioration of their
environment often results
in code violations, and
leads to evictions.

Potential for injury:
 Hospitalization
 Loss of independence