Marquette County APS worker warns of rising self-neglect and financial-exploitation reports, highlights new hospital decision-making rule

Judy Bowler, Marquette Countyadult protective services social worker, told the human services committee on June 9 that her office has seen a rise in self-neglect cases and financial-exploitation reports, especially tech-based "romance" and social-security scams.

Bowler, who identifies adults 60 and older as "elders" and adults 18 60 with vulnerabilities as "vulnerable adults," said anyone in the community can report concerns and that mandated reporters must do so. She said the county is handling a higher guardianship caseload this year: "I'm working on already 12 this year," she said, describing an uptick tied to an aging population and increased referrals.

The presentation explained APS thresholds for intervention: staff evaluate capacity and imminent harm before pursuing emergency protective placement, which can involve law enforcement and court petitions. Bowler emphasized that many reports reflect family disputes or poor living conditions that do not meet the legal standard for removing an individual's rights, saying investigators sometimes find "no evidence of hurt or harm" after a visit.

Bowler described how the county now uses the WRAP reporting system (migrated in 2024) to collect detailed statistics on referrals, outcomes and referral sources. She cited partnerships with local banks and law enforcement as important referral channels and credited a state grant and a centralized Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline with raising public awareness.

The presentation also flagged a recent change in state practice: as of June 1, WisconsinAct 115 allows hospital social workers and administrators to file paperwork that helps identify a decision-maker to facilitate discharge to a long-term care setting without immediately initiating a guardianship petition. Bowler said Marquette County has not yet seen many local uses but is watching how hospitals implement the process and whether it reduces discharge delays.

Committee members pressed Bowler on how APS distinguishes false or unsubstantiated reports; she said those are coded and closed when investigations find no evidence of harm. She described reliance on physician certification when a medical assessment is required for a guardianship petition: "I need a doctor to fill that out and he will determine on that form that the person is in need of a guardian," she said.

The presentation closed with reminders that reporters may remain anonymous, that APS consults regularly with the sheriff's department for welfare checks, and that county staff are planning public education about advance directives and properly executed powers of attorney to help people avoid unnecessary guardianship proceedings.

Bowler and staff said they will continue to monitor Act 115 outcomes and report back as the county gains more local experience with the new hospital process.