Adult Abuse
Date updated: 02/20/2012
Chart Directory:
Larimer County Adult Protective Services responds to reports of mistreatment or neglect of at-risk adults who are unable to advocate for themselves, due to age or disability. Information on the number of substantiated reports is available only for recent years, as it is not reported to the State and therefore not tracked automatically.
Types of abuse include:
- Physical/Sexual Abuse
- Exploitation- the misuse and/or misappropriation of an individual's material (e.g. possessions, property) and/or monetary assets
- Neglect- the caregiver fails to meet the physical, social, and/or emotional needs of the individual
- Self-neglect- individuals fail to meet their own physical, psychological, and/or social needs
What this chart shows: Reports, Investigations, & Substantiated Reports of Adult Abuse in Larimer County, 2002 - 2011
Data Source: Adult Protective Services, Larimer County Department of Human Services (data not available online)
What the above data tell us:
The number of reports to Adult Protective Services (APS) increased more than 15% from 2002 to 2011. The number of cases investigated has fluctuated between a low of 361 in 2006 to a high of 489 in 2003. During this same time period, cases resulting in substantiated reports peaked in 2003 at 384. Typically, as the number of reported cases increases, the investigations and substantiated reports increase proportionately.The decline in abuse reports received between 2005 and 2007 is due in part to several local agencies completing initial abuse report investigations. Foothills Gateway, a local agency that provides services to individuals with cognitive disabilities and their families, does initial investigations of abuse reports received at their location. Poudre Valley Hospital (PVH) has always had the Crisis Assessment Center, but in 2005, PVH moved the Center to a more centralized location. The Center is now more easily accessible for those in need of emergency abuse assessment.
Adult Protective Services caseloads vary between 35 and 40 cases per case manager. Consequently, APS must screen each report very closely for validity and specific types of abuse. Due to preliminary investigations by local agencies and lower rates of reports accepted by APS, there was a higher incidence of substantiated reports beginning in 2006 and continuing throughout 2011.
The average age of adult abuse cases has steadily risen from 62 to 2006 to 64 in 2011 as more elderly residents opt to stay in their own homes. This could help explain the recent rise in reported cases.
What this chart shows: Adult Abuse Reports in Larimer County by Type of Abuse, 2011
Data Source: Adult Protective Services, Larimer County Department of Human Services (data not available online)
What the above data tell us:
The majority of Adult Protective Services reports involve self-neglect (69% of 2011 reports). Self-neglecting individuals lose the ability to manage any or all of the following: personal finances, medication, house cleaning, transportation, accessing food, medical needs and meeting basic needs.What this chart shows: Number of Adult Abuse Referrals in Larimer County by Source, 2011
*Other includes: Alternative Care Facilities, Anonymous, Attorneys, Housing Authorities, Larimer Center for Mental Health, Schools and other community agencies not denoted on the chart.
Data Source: Adult Protective Services, Larimer County Department of Human Services (data not available online)
What the above data tell us:
Reports to Larimer County Adult Protective Services (APS) indicate that most reports of abuse in 2011 came from hospitals, families, and Foothills Gateway. Once a report is made to APS, it is assessed by risk and resolved. APS can also provide individual and family counseling and referrals for other family services to assist with protective issues.What this chart shows: Percentage of Adult Abuse Reports in Larimer County by Age of Victim, 2011
Data Source: Adult Protective Services, Larimer County Department of Human Services (data not available online)
What the above data tell us:
Reports to Adult Protective Services (APS) indicate that adult victims over the age of 60 comprise the majority of reported cases of adult abuse. The average age of adult abuse victims is 64 years of age, a slight increase over previous years. Adult Protection staff says referrals involving people with substance abuse and mental heath issues have increased in recent years. Referral sources such as law enforcement, mental health agencies, family members, and especially the general public, are increasingly reporting young adults with these problems to APS. Approximately 25% of the referrals received by Adult Protective Services involve individuals with mental health issues.Additional Information:
Related Information on COMPASS -
Other Resources -
- Colorado Department of Human Services - Division of Aging and Adult Services
- Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse - Psychology Today article describes types of abuse and offers therapy direction
- Larimer County Adult Protective Services - Responds to reports of mistreatment or neglect of at risk adults
Standards or Targets: N/A
|
Reports Received |
Cases Investigated |
Substantiated Reports |
Larimer County Adult Population* |
Rate of Reports Received |
Rate of Cases Investigated |
Rate of Substantiated Reports |
|
|
2002 |
709 |
433 |
221 |
204,016 |
3.5 |
2.1 |
1.1 |
|
2003 |
650 |
489 |
384 |
206,350 |
3.1 |
2.4 |
1.9 |
|
2004 |
646 |
382 |
203 |
211,040 |
3.1 |
1.8 |
1.0 |
|
2005 |
689 |
434 |
216 |
213,867 |
3.2 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
2006 |
668 |
361 |
255 |
218,604 |
3.1 |
1.7 |
1.2 |
|
2007 |
658 |
373 |
281 |
223,668 |
2.9 |
1.7 |
1.3 |
|
2008 |
704 |
425 |
286 |
228,751 |
3.1 |
1.9 |
1.3 |
|
2009 |
687 |
363 |
280 |
233,453 |
2.9 |
1.6 |
1.2 |
|
2010 |
839 |
416 |
311 |
236,549 |
3.5 |
1.8 |
1.3 |
|
2011 |
817 |
428 |
304 |
239,338 |
3.4 |
1.8 |
1.3 |
*Population figures from Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Adult Abuse Reports by Type of Abuse in Larimer County
|
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Physical Abuse |
8% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 9% | 6% |
|
Sexual Abuse |
2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
|
Neglect |
9% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 7% | 20% |
|
Exploitation |
12% | 11% | 14% | 16% | 13% | 15% |
|
Self Neglect |
71% | 70% | 81% | 78% | 69% | 69% |
|
Other |
0.7% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0.3% | 0% |
Number of Adult Abuse Reports by Referral
|
2011 |
Number |
|
Landlords |
17 |
|
Options for Long Term Care |
19 |
|
Department of Human Services |
25 |
|
Physicians |
33 |
|
Neighbors |
35 |
|
Self Referral |
38 |
|
Friends |
40 |
|
Law Enforcement |
56 |
|
Skilled Nursing Facilities |
63 |
|
Home Health Agencies |
65 |
|
Other* |
66 |
|
Foothills Gateway |
76 |
|
Family |
112 |
|
Hospitals |
118 |
Percentage of Adult Abuse Reports by Age
|
2011 |
||
|
# |
% |
|
|
Under 60 years old |
279 | 36% |
|
Over 60 years old |
498 | 64% |