ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES: Offers professional services to individuals, ages 18 or older, who lack the mental or physical capacity to provide sufficiently for their daily needs to protect their health, safety, and welfare. An adult at-risk of endangerment is one who is maltreated or exploited, has inadequate food, clothing and shelter, or lacks essential medical care.

DSS investigates and arranges for services to remedy the situation. Legal mandates require adults in neglect cases to be seen within 5 days and in abuse cases within 24 hours. If no family member or individual is available to serve as guardian, DSS will be appointed guardian for persons under age 65. Area Agency on Aging will be guardian for persons ages 65 and older.