Adult Protective Services (APS)
This content is for informational purposes only. In case of an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a state-mandated safety net designed to support vulnerable adults aged 18 and older who are unable to protect themselves due to physical or mental limitations. County-designated APS agencies receive, investigate, and respond to reports to ensure the safety of those at risk and connect them with the services they need.
Eligibility
Under New Jersey law, APS can step in only when all four of the following are true.
- Age: 18 or older — this includes younger adults with disabilities, not just seniors.
- Residence: Lives in the community — in a private home or another setting that isn’t licensed, run, or contracted by a state agency.
- Vulnerability: Has a physical or mental illness, disability, or impairment that leaves them unable to understand, communicate, or carry out decisions about their own health and safety (this includes Alzheimer’s and other dementias, mobility limitations, and developmental disabilities).
- At risk: Is experiencing abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), or exploitation.
* If you suspect abuse of someone living in a licensed facility such as a nursing home, report it to the Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly at 1-877-582-6995.
Focus Areas
- Physical & Emotional Abuse: Acts of violence, threats, verbal abuse, or any conduct that inflicts psychological distress.
- Neglect & Self-Neglect: Failure to provide essential food, medication, or hygiene care, including instances where a senior can no longer care for themselves.
- Financial Exploitation: The unauthorized or improper use of a senior’s funds, property, or assets for someone else’s benefit.
* APS reporting is open to the public, and the identity of the reporter is protected by law. Healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs are designated as mandatory reporters.
Limits of APS Intervention
- If an adult with decision-making capacity refuses services, APS cannot provide services by force.
- APS cannot move someone to another residence without their consent — only with a court order.
- APS respects your right to self-determination, using only the least restrictive measures necessary to stabilize the situation so you can continue your daily life as usual.
Investigation & Support Procedures
- Rapid Field Investigation: Within 72 business hours of receiving a report, an APS caseworker will conduct a home visit to thoroughly assess the situation.
- Tailored Service Connection: To eliminate immediate risks, APS connects individuals with essential services, including:
- Medical Support: Access to emergency medical treatment and ongoing healthcare services.
- Housing Safety: Assistance with relocating to a safe shelter or alternative housing if necessary.
- Financial & Legal Aid: Connection to financial management services and legal counseling to protect personal rights.
Reporter Protection Policy
- Strict Confidentiality: The identity of anyone reporting in good faith is strictly protected by law.
- Immunity from Liability: As long as a report is made with reasonable cause, the reporter is immune from any civil or criminal liability, regardless of the investigation’s ultimate outcome.
Major APS Contacts in Northern New Jersey
Resources
