Alaska State Ombudsman Kate Burkhart has released the investigation report about the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS), Adult Protective Services (APS). The investigation revealed that APS was unable to find meaningful solutions to address an adult’s increasingly dangerous living environment.
The Ombudsman’s office investigated two allegations: APS unreasonably categorized reports of harm alleging significant health and safety risks to a disabled elder as a low priority level for review, and APS did not initiate services soon enough to protect a vulnerable adult. The Ombudsman found both allegations justified.
The evidence showed that APS made good faith efforts to help the adult, but the situation warranted more oversight and action by agency staff. The Ombudsman made eight recommendations designed to strengthen APS’s ability to provide services to vulnerable adults confidently and lawfully.
To learn more about this investigation