Skip to content
Adult Protective Services Library
  • Home

Sections

  • Welcome to the Adult Protective Services Library
  • Miscellaneous
    • Investigating Suspected Elder Maltreatment
  • Introduction to Law & Policy
    • Meriweather Scott Referral
    • John Brown Referral
    • Jane Philbright Referral
    • Interviewing Tips
    • Referrals on Special Populations
  • APS Forms & System
    • APS Computer System Reference Guide
    • Proper Documentation: A Key Topic in Training Programs for Elder Abuse Workers
  • Normal Aging
    • Ageism and the Elderly
    • Exercise for Healthy Aging
  • Investigative Process
    • Technical Assistance Brief Investigation Protocols
  • Substantiation Decision
    • Determining Findings
    • Adult Protective Services Clients Confirmed for Self-Neglect: Characteristics and Service Use
    • A Good Man is Hard to Find
  • Service Planning
    • Service Planning with APS Clients
    • Older Adults Affected by Polyvictimization: A Review of Early Research
  • Urgent Response
    • APS Urgent Response Guidelines
    • Responding to Emergencies
    • Planning and Preparing for Investigations
  • Worker Safety
    • Safety Grid
    • Planning for Safety
  • Pre-Academy Field Tasks
    • Customer Service in Adult Protective Services

Emergency Response in APS

Emergency Situations in Adult Protective Services

3 Key elements in an emergency:

  • the circumstances are such that the person could die or suffer serious physical consequences if the situation is not remedied

and

  • the situation presents an immediate danger to the person.

or

  • significant and unexplained depletion of the adult’s estate

APS policy calls for emergency situations to be investigated within 4 hours after the referral is received.

Immediate Threats to Life and Property

Adult Protective Services: Emergency Situations Burns Cardiac emergencies congestive heart failure Diabetic emergencies

Diabetic comaInsulin shock
gradual onsetsudden onset
food intake excessivefood intake may be insufficient
skin dry and flushedskin moist and pale
mouth is drydrooling may be present
intense thirstno thirst
vomiting commonvomiting rare
deep respirationsnormal/shallow respirations
abdominal pain

Drowning Heat Cramps – failure to replace sodium during heavy work in heat:

  • abrupt onset
  • prostrate with legs flexed, may thrash around and cry out with pain
  • muscle spasms are palpable
  • skin pale and wet
  • temperature and BP normal

Heat Prostration – failure to adjust to dilation of skin blood vessels caused by alcohol, dehydration, excessive sweating:

  • listless, apprehensive, semi comatose
  • skin tone ashen, cold and damp
  • blood pressure depressed
  • profuse sweating
  • complaints of weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea
  • dim/blurred vision, irritability
  • muscular cramps
  • temperature normal

Heatstroke – exposure to high temperatures, old age, poor housing, and/or chronic disease facilitate occurrence. Onset may be sudden or follow symptoms of heat prostration:

  • skin hot, flushed, dry
  • elevated body temperature is obvious
  • muscle twitching and cramps
  • elevated pulse rate
  • elevated respirations
  • vomiting, convulsions

Infections

  • deep open sores
  • discoloration
  • fever
  • pain may be present
  • pus

Shock – person may be alert and oriented, but lethargy, confusion and sleepiness are usual:

  • hands and feet are cold, moist, pale, and often cyanotic
  • pulse is weak and rapid
  • BP is low or unobtainable
  • respirations rapid and shallow

Trauma Venomous bites

  • swelling and pain
  • weakness, sweating, thirst, headache, ringing or buzzing in ears
  • abdominal rigidity and pain to the touch
  • vomiting, apprehension

Post navigation

Previous
Worker Safety
Next
APS Forms Quick Reference

If you need help or have any questions please email the CPM Help Desk.

  • Home
  • Privacy & Accessibility