I am expecting my first visit from APS after filing for assistance for heating oil this coming winter. I was told by the worker this is mandatory as I am caregiving for an elderly person (my father) and they want to “assess the situation”. I was approved for the grant but was told an APS worker will come unannounced at any time. I’m an overachieving basket case and have no idea what to expect or what the process is. We live in a two family house with dad (functioning dementia) on the first floor. I am on the second floor. Will they just want to see dad’s environment or will they inspect the entire house? Although it’s clean, I am single and my apartment is messy — but I keep dad’s immaculate. I’d like to not have to stress myself with cleaning my place if they won’t even bother coming in there. Also, what do they ask? Do they speak to him directly or us together? How long do they stay and what do they want to see as far as records go? He is happy and well cared for, but by nature I am an excessive worrier and am not happy someone is coming in poking around over a heating bill. If it helps I am in upstate NY.
And boy have my eyes been opened: I live in a mostly rural area and we don't even have Adult Protective Svcs. anymore; I had no idea they still had it anywhere. Oh, it's officially listed on my county's books but I heard that all but one of the caseworkers have either been laid off or moved into Child Protective Svcs.
To answer your questions...
What did they ask?
I have no idea what they asked my mom, but I can only assume is was things like: Are you happy here? Do you feel safe? What's your typical day like? Etc...
They ask me and my brother things like: Can your mom get dressed, shower, go potty by herself? Has she ever wandered on her own outside the house? Does she cook for herself? Etc...
Did they walk through every room opening doors fridge and closets?
No. Nothing like that. They are looking for specific things related to safety, and are not interested in your "dirty laundry." ;-) Like I said, it was things like smoke alarms, access and trip hazards, emergency lighting, etc. Since you have a two-level home, they may want to make sure your father does not have an easy access up the stairs. Mostly just common-sense things.
Look at financial records?
Nope, and I don't think they would even be allowed to.
:-)
We experienced a slightly different scenario where my mom's dr. called APS because we hadn't implemented 24 hr care. She lived (and still lives) by herself at home, and at the time she had mild/moderate signs of dementia. We made a conscious decision to give her has much independence for as long as possible, so we started slow and worked up to 24/7 care - 4hrs every other day to 4hrs every day to 8hrs every day, etc.
We were nervous, but we knew we had acted in our mom's best interest by maintaining her sense of independence. An APS representative showed up unannounced, and the entire visit was about an hour. In our case, the caseworker first asked to talk to our mom alone, then to us alone (myself and my brother), and then to all of us together. Questions were simple and straightforward. She then did do an inspection of the home, which, honestly, was GREAT! She found some things that we could change to make the home safer: put in a handrail on the two steps leading out to the garage, add emergency lighting, check smoke alarms (oh, gosh, when was the last time mom changed the batteries in the smoke alarms?), etc. For us it was a very helpful visit.
I think the bottom line with the APS is that they'll want to see that your father isn't being neglected, that he is loved, and that he is happy and cared for. They will look at the nitty-gritty, but as long as you are honestly doing your best to care for your father, they won't "ding" you. They really are there to help, so they may make suggestions, but as I said, we found the suggestions very helpful.
Good luck... and relax!
Would you mind sharing what they asked? Did they walk through every room opening doors fridge and closets? Look at financial records? Or is this just an informal kind of “hey, how are things with you guys”?
" stress myself with cleaning my place " .
i may get the CPS / judge / orphaned grandson visit of a lifetime some day . it will be unannounced as well .
if im chosen to raise the kid it will be for reasons much ' deeper ' than tidy housekeeping .
rushgirl ,
relax . APS has seen some bad situations and theyve seen many ' phony ' situations . the interaction between you and your dad is ( in my experience ) what theyre trained to scrutinize .
Oh I really wish you the best with your own CPS issue. Bless you for looking after the little guy.
Dressing like a slob does not mean he is not well taken care of. Certainly, APS has seen it many, many times before and recognize this is a behavior often seen in dementia. Just start trying to sneak, if you have to, to launder his clothing. Just do not let him know.
They will check for cleanliness, fridge for spoilt foods, bathrooms, etc. Does dad look well kept, clean and above all happy?