Adult Protective Services

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates most cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation never get reported. Elder abuse victims often lack knowledge about how to seek protection from their abusers. In many cases, they may hesitate to report the crime because they are dependent on their abuser for care, and they may fear retaliation. Coleman clinicians investigate reported abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of seniors 60 and older. 

In Stark County, Coleman is a designated agency for the Department of Job and Family Services. We believe seniors have a right to be safe. We make referrals to health care organizations, social services, legal, law enforcement, housing or other services. Coleman helps secure ongoing assistance and support for older adults determined to be in need of protection. Our goal is to secure the safety of our elder community members while promoting the greatest level of independence and personal decision making possible.

Coleman Can Help with Adult & Elder Abuse 

Abuse can happen to anyone – no matter the person’s age, race, religion or gender. Elder abuse is a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the National Institute on Aging, hundreds of thousands of elder abuse cases occur each year. In fact, 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced abuse. Elder abuse is one of the most overlooked public health hazards in the United States. Victims of abuse are three times more likely than those who weren’t mistreated to die prematurely. 

Even though elder abuse does occur in nursing homes, it happens most often at home. In more than half of elder abuse and neglect cases, the perpetrator is a family member. Two-thirds of perpetrators are adult children or spouses. Elder care abuse in a home setting can be easier to disguise because there are far less checks and balances than there are in nursing homes. And seniors with dementia or other memory problems may try to speak up, but their concerns may not be taken seriously because they appear to be confused.

Elder abuse is a serious problem – it’s either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on where the crime is committed and how extreme it is. Reckless neglect is usually a misdemeanor while an act of violence against a senior may be a felony.

Infographic courtesy of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Warning Signs of Neglect:

• Dehydration and unexplained weight loss
• Malnourishment
• Untreated medical conditions
• Failure to take medication
• Dirt, fleas, lice
• Bedsores
• Ulcerated sores
• Fecal/urine odor

Exploitation is a caregiver’s unlawful or improper use of the senior’s resources for the caregiver’s benefit or financial gain.

Signs of Exploitation include misuse of person, funds, property, or possessions.

Elder abuse is a serious problem that can be prevented. Be sure to ask older adults gently, but directly whether they are safe at home. Ask family members whether the caregiver has ever had any problems or complaints, especially involving abuse. Many cases of elder abuse have gone unreported because no one has ever asked about the abuse directly.

Support Our Seniors – If You See Something, Say Something

It takes courage for a family member, friend, or caretaker to report abuse. If you suspect elder abuse, please contact Coleman. If a senior is in immediate, life-threatening danger, call 911.

Am I eligible for the Embrace Program?

Embrace is designed for pregnant women and postpartum mothers (up to one year) in the Greater Lima, Ohio Region (Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Mercer, Shelby & Darke) counties that are struggling with a history of use of Opiates and Stimulants.

Women and mothers across the country struggle with addiction every day, and we’re here to help you move forward so you can focus on your children and your health. If this sounds like you, Embrace is here to help.

How does Embrace help women like me?

We provide connection to medication-assisted treatment, Subutex. We also connect you to counseling and other support services that help pregnant women and mothers. We are here to help you create and maintain a stable life for yourself and your children. 

We work with dozens of mothers just like you with similar worries about relapse, loss of custody, financial concerns, and more. You’re in a difficult position. But we share the same goals as you do —  we’re here to help you make the healthiest choices for you and your child.

How can I afford this program? Is financial assistance available?

This is an understandable question — it’s difficult to entrust your health and safety with strangers, especially when your children are involved. Our services are free to those who need them, no questions asked. We are transparent about our funding; we receive grants and state funding to help women get the assistance they need during and after pregnancy. We partner with St. Rita’s Medical Center to provide medication-assisted treatment and counseling to help lessen the possibility of relapse under safe, doctor-guided care.

Coleman Adult Day Services

Coleman offers a different take on Adult Day Services. Ours is based on the Coleman Medical Model. Clients socialize. Take day trips. Participate in activities. But we also have on-staff nursing services, medical specialists, therapeutic diets and an individualized plan of care developed by a qualified nurse. 

Other services offered include on-site therapy (physical, speech and occupational), bathing and transportation (depending on location.)

For caregivers, Coleman Adult Day Services provides respite, the ability to work or run errands and – most of all – peace of mind. 

For complete services, see ColemanAdultDay.org. 

Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm. Contact us or call 330-296-3214 for details.

Coleman’s Adult Day Services are available in the following counties:

Portage

Coleman Supports Our Veterans

Coleman is proud to provide Mental Health, Crisis, Employment and Social support to those who have served our country and their families. Veterans looking for additional resources can visit MakeTheConnection.net.

Guardianship Services

Coleman advocates for adults and seniors who are unable to make necessary decisions to protect themselves. Court appointed legal guardians, trained Coleman staff, ensure that vulnerable adults are provided with food, shelter, medical care, legal services and other basic needs to support their health, safety and comfort.

What Is Guardianship?

Guardianship is a legal relationship in which the guardian is given the authority by the court to make decisions on behalf of a person (ward) who is unable to make and/or communicate decisions on their own. A guardian is the person appointed by the court to make decisions on behalf of someone else. Judges and court magistrates supervise the guardians. Also known as elder conservatorship, guardianship provides an individual the legal authority to make decisions for a vulnerable adult or senior. In this legal relationship, the guardian is entrusted with the care and welfare of the protected person, or ward—helping assure bills are paid and making personal and medical decisions for the individual protected by guardianship.

Why Are Guardians Appointed?

When older adults are unable to care or advocate for themselves, a guardianship may become necessary. Legal guardianship assures care and advocacy for adults and seniors in need. For adults who are unable to manage their personal affairs, guardians are appointed by a Probate Court. In the case of senior citizens, they may be incapable of caring for themselves or make appropriate decisions regarding their own welfare due cognitive impairment like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or disabilities. Problems arise when seniors may no longer be able to remember to take important medications, manage daily hygiene, or handle their finances. This is when guardianship is often the best strategy to help assure the health, safety, and a measure of independence.

A typical case might be when an individual with a diagnosis of dementia or developmental disability, struggles with homelessness, or requires medical or mental health treatment and are unable to consent for the support and services they need. In these circumstances, Coleman would assess the case, then file the case in the Probate Court. A Probate Court judge would make the final determination as to whether an individual would be deemed incompetent – in which case, that individual would be assigned to a guardian.

General Powers and Duties of a Guardian

While guardians assure the basic needs of the ward are met, they don’t provide hands-on or live-in caregiving; however they do help make important decisions regarding this type of care. They also advocate for individuals who can no longer make decisions for themselves. A guardian is able to consent for treatment, coordinate housing and other care options, and serve as an overall coordinator of care. Under guardianship, Coleman clients experience better outcomes and increased stability due to our services.   

Guardians are also required to file either annual or biannual reports about where the protected person lives, the services that the protected person receives, the protected person’s physical and mental condition. This enables the court to supervise and monitor the condition of the ward, and to determine whether guardianship needs to continue.

Coleman Guardianship Services

At Coleman, our goal is to improve the quality of life for all those we serve – providing stability and care that can change the destiny for vulnerable populations and foster recovery.  

Coleman Guardianship Services works to advocate for vulnerable clients to ensure they receive proper care. Services include essential services required to promote healthy living:

• Petition the court for guardianship services
• Assess of necessary services by a case manager
• Case management
• Arrange support services
• Oversee living arrangements
• Make informed medical decisions
• Mandatory reporting

Once a client stabilizes and makes progress, we begin to work with them to have the guardianship removed and support clients with programs and services that promote greater independence.  While this may not be possible for every client, we continue to work with all clients to help them  achieve their personal goals in treatment.