County of Sacramento Senior & Adult Services

About Us

Vision: To promote, protect and preserve the dignity of all seniors and dependent individuals so they live with respect in caring, healthy and safe environments.

Mission: We provide protective and supportive services for senior and dependent individuals to ensure their highest quality of life possible.

Values:

• Compassion: Demonstrating heartfelt consideration of others with the desire to help.
• Collaboration: Using teamwork and community partnership to bring about positive change.
• Integrity: Doing what is right and honorable.
• Service: Ensuring competent, respectful and responsive assistance to all.
• Quality: Striving toward excellence.

Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services (APS) is dedicated to maPicture on an older womanintaining the health and safety of elderly and dependent adults who are victims of abuse or neglect. APS is a state-mandated service program charged with investigating situations involving elderly and dependent adults who are reported to be in danger due to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or hazardous or unsafe living conditions.

In addition to investigating allegations of abuse or neglect, APS social workers may assist the elderly and dependent population of Sacramento County in the following ways:

• Provide 24 hour emergency response services;
• Mobilize emergency personnel such as paramedics or law enforcement in high risk situations;
• Secure linkages and referrals for other county and community services such as public health assessment, and counseling services;
• Advocate for clients in a variety of situations, for example with landlords, doctors, hospitals, treatment programs, and other social services;
• Arrange for direct services such as meal delivery, transportation, and immediate assistance with emergency situations;
• Coordinate and consult with other providers to ensure the best possible service for the client.

Elder and dependent adult abuse may include:

Physical Abuse: Pushing or hitting, Intentional misuse of medication, Unauthorized restraint, Causing pain or injury
Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate exposure, Inappropriate sexual advances, Sexual exploitation, Rape
Neglect: Deprivation of basic needs: Water, food, housing, clothing, medical care
Self-Neglect: Unwilling or unable to care, provide for, or protect self
Financial Abuse: Undue influence to change documents, Theft, Embezzlement, Misuse of property
Emotional or Verbal Abuse: Threats, Threats of harm or abandonment, Isolation, Intimidation

In-Home Supportive Services

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) serves aged, blind, or disabled persons who are unable to perform activities of daily living and cannot remain safely in their own homes without help. Through IHSS, qualified recipients may receive assistance with daily tasks, such as:

• bathing
• dressing
• cooking
• cleaning
• grooming
• feeding

To be eligible for IHSS services, a person must receive SSI or meet income and resource guidelines. In addition, the individual must be either:

• 65 years or older
• blind
• permanently disabled, or
• a disabled child requiring extraordinary care

Anyone who recognizes that a person is in need of in-home assistance may refer a client to IHSS. Once a referral is received, a social worker assigned to the case conducts an assessment to determine the applicant’s need. The determination will take into consideration the applicant’s medical condition, living arrangement, and resources that may already be available.

Once eligibility has been established, IHSS can assist a client with locating a caregiver. A friend or relative may serve as a caregiver, or a referral may be made through the IHSS Registry. Once a caregiver is selected, the client acts as the employer and is responsible for supervision and signing time sheets. IHSS will arrange for payment.

Working together, IHSS and the caregiver ensure that each client is able to remain in familiar surroundings – safely, comfortably and with as much independence as possible.