Page 58 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Lubbock Online Magazine
P. 58
SENIOR RESOURCES
CHAMPION
Advocates
by Stephanie Bolton,
APS Specialist IV
dult Protective Services (APS)
investigates abuse, neglect
Aand financial exploitation
of adults who are elderly or have cannot navigate social media, people to assist the client with the
disabilities. APS clients include online platforms, or applications for technology or via telework.
alleged victims of abuse, neglect or benefits, as that generation is not as
financial exploitation; those aged familiar with social technology as The other side of the COVID
65 and older or age 18 to 65 with a their younger counterparts. challenge involves a more human
disabling condition; and residents in side – loneliness. So many of the
the community (e.g., private homes, However, APS specialists are clients served by APS have limited
adult foster homes, unlicensed board champion advocates for their clients. support systems. They have become
and care homes, etc.). Normally called “road warriors”, further isolated from their families,
these workers became “telework friends, and support systems due
APS specialists investigate warriors”, spending eight hours to the pandemic. Depression and
allegations, and when maltreatment per day on the phone or computer. anxiety are frequently addressed.
is validated, APS provides and APS specialists and clients have APS specialists have spent hours on
arranges for services to alleviate utilized popular technology, such the phone encouraging their clients,
abuse, neglect and exploitation. as FaceTime or GotoMeeting, with listening to them, and providing
Short-term services may include clients to be able to properly assess mental health support. More serious
emergency shelter, food, medication, their situations to facilitate services. concerns have involved assistance
heavy cleaning, minor home repairs, They have ensured that clients with accessing support services, such
restoration of utilities, and mental were safe by accessing community as the National Association of Mental
health assessments. resources. Community partners, Illness, suicide hotlines, etc.
such as Meals on Wheels, local home
During COVID-19, APS specialists health agencies, provider agencies, Champion caseworkers advocate for
across the state have been faced physician offices, neighbors and the best outcome for their clients.
with additional challenges in friends, became valuable sources They do what is necessary, whether
their casework, especially while of information and were often the it is driving for miles and hours in
local and state services were shut conduit to assisting clients with the heat or the cold, or whether it is
down. Recognizing that the more technology forums. navigating the ever-changing culture
vulnerable population is over the of COVID-19. They do it, and they
age of 65, APS specialists have had Accessing services had to be do it well. Personally, I am happy
to take additional precautions to modified to accommodate the to be among these advocates and to
protect their clients. Case visits had changing COVID situation. APS work alongside so many of them for
to be done through telework to specialists arranged for prescriptions the past ten years. I look forward to
ensure that clients were not exposed to be delivered that normally would the restoration of a mask-less society.
unnecessarily to the COVID-19 have been picked up. Grocery But until then, I am happy to help,
virus. Limited personal protective deliveries for clients have been set wearing my mask, over the phone,
equipment (PPE) availability up through InstaCart or contactless or via Facetime, so long as I can
nationwide made visits in person APS delivery. Applications for do it alongside my APS Specialist
increasingly difficult. Additionally, services through state agencies have colleagues.
many seniors over the age of 65 been completed online by locating
58 Lubbock Senior Link
