By Tim Mastro

The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults With Physical Disabilities announced the launch of the Adult Protective Services hotline Wednesday.

The hotline is available at 888-APS-4302. It allows concerned individuals and those experiencing harm to connect with free, voluntary resources that could save a life. In 2021, more than 2,000 investigations of suspected abuse were conducted based on the reports from such parties.

“Just as we should check smoke detectors at daylight saving time, the holidays are an important reminder to check on the well-being of those who are aging and vulnerable adults in our lives,” said Melissa Smith, director of the division.

Under Delaware law, a vulnerable adult is defined as a person 18 or older who, because of isolation, sickness, debilitation, mental illness or physical, mental or cognitive disability, is easily susceptible to harm.

Concerned citizens should call the hotline if they suspect any of the following:

• Physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
• Neglect — the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable adult.
• Self-neglect — the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks, threatening his/her health or safety.
• Exploitation — the illegal taking, misuse or concealment of funds, property or assets of a vulnerable adult for someone else’s benefit.
• Abandonment — desertion of someone vulnerable by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.
• Additional forms of harm, like mistreatment, intimidation, manipulation or coercion.

The new hotline makes reporting these types of incidents easy and confidential.

Adult Protective Services also recently kicked off a campaign across Delaware with a series of posters and digital public service announcements using the tagline, “Make the Call,” to reinforce awareness of this critical resource.

While voluntarily reporting harm is highly encouraged, certain professions are legally mandated to disclose it, including caretakers and medical practitioners, as well as employees of financial institutions who have direct contact with a vulnerable adult and suspect monetary exploitation.

The hotline is not a law enforcement agency, though it does provide information obtained from a report of abuse to partner state offices and to the police.

APS may only intervene with free services if accepted by the victim. Victims themselves also can report harm and are urged to do so.

For information, visit dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd/aps.html.