Utah Adult Protective Services outlines elder-abuse warning signs and reporting process

Megan Schmidt, training manager for Adult Protective Services at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, told an elder-justice conference that identifying and reporting abuse of older adults requires both awareness of specific warning signs and timely reporting to the state agency.

Schmidt said her office investigates physical abuse, emotional abuse, caretaker neglect, self‑neglect and financial exploitation and urged community members and professionals to act when they suspect harm. "Financial exploitation…is our number one and our fastest growing in the state of Utah," she said, noting people with cognitive decline, physical limitations or recent bereavement are at particular risk.

Context: why it matters

Schmidt cited national demographic projections that the population aged 65 and older will rise sharply over coming decades, increasing caregiving needs and the potential for unmet care. She framed prevention as community work: education, social connection and caregiver supports reduce isolation and vulnerability.

What to watch for

Schmidt listed concrete red flags for different forms of abuse: injuries inconsistent with reported accidents, unexplained bruises or cuts, inappropriate medication administration or restraint for physical abuse; uncharacteristic withdrawal, fear or agitation for emotional abuse; poor hygiene, missed medical appointments or lack of access to assistive devices for caretaker neglect; and signs such as missing possessions, unexplained withdrawals, sudden changes to powers of attorney or property titles for financial exploitation. She warned that caregiver minimization of concerns is itself a warning sign.

Resources and prevention

Schmidt recommended using local Area Agencies on Aging and online locators to find supports. She pointed listeners to the Division of Aging and Adult Services website (das.utah.gov) and the federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov) to find local services, and described caregiver‑support programs and senior‑center activities as protective factors that promote social connection and early detection.

Reporting: what Utah law and APS require

Schmidt said Utah has a mandatory‑reporting requirement: anyone who has reason to believe a vulnerable adult has been subject to abuse, neglect or exploitation must notify Adult Protective Services intake or local law enforcement immediately. Schmidt described two intake options — an online reporting portal on the Division of Aging and Adult Services site and a toll‑accessible phone intake during business hours — and emphasized reporters may remain anonymous; APS keeps referent information confidential.

Investigation timing and next steps

Accepted reports are screened and assigned to an investigator. Schmidt said investigators have three working days to contact the person who made the report and five business days to make contact with the vulnerable person, after which the investigator assesses the situation, the victim’s wishes, and available services. Schmidt stressed APS’s stated goal is to help people age in place: "We will not remove somebody or place them in a facility against their will unless…we would have basically enough evidence…to show that that person is at imminent risk of harm to themselves," she said.

On scams and jurisdiction

When asked whether APS investigates scams, Schmidt said the agency typically does not handle most scam complaints because scams often span jurisdictions and organizations; she recommended reporting fraud to specialized resources such as the National Elder Fraud Hotline and the Federal Trade Commission.

Practical advice for families and caregivers

Schmidt advised compassionate, repeated conversations with older adults who refuse help, early advance planning about powers of attorney and care preferences, and connecting people with their medical provider or Area Agency on Aging. She highlighted the "sandwich generation"—people caring for both children and aging parents—as a group at heightened risk of burnout and urged caregivers to seek respite and support.

What comes next

Schmidt closed by encouraging multiple reporters to file reports if they have different collateral information, because each submission can provide distinct evidence for investigators. She also reminded attendees that many community supports exist and that reporting helps connect vulnerable adults to services rather than automatically triggering removal.