Adult Protective Services, or “APS,” is a program within the New Jersey Division of Aging Services, designed to protect elderly and disabled adults from abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), and exploitation. APS focuses on assisting “vulnerable adults” living in a community setting (not in a hospital, nursing home or similar facility). In New Jersey, each county has a designated APS provider; for example, in Union County, the agency is Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Within 72 business hours of receiving the report of suspected maltreatment, APS will meet with the vulnerable adult in private. They will try to assess the person’s decision-making ability; they may interview other people in connection with their investigation. When the investigation is complete, a report is submitted and a determination is made as to whether the vulnerable adult is the subject of abuse. They may take additional action, if they deem it necessary to protect the vulnerable adult; for example, by filing for guardianship.
Because APS’s investigation is confidential, APS may not provide details of its investigation to others (including to the person who reported the alleged abuse).
If you suspect that someone you know is the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you can report that information to the county APS agency. If you receive a call from APS, do not ignore the call; it may be related to an investigation of abuse.