Texas APS Out of Control

In 2004 Texas Department of Adult Protective Services was found to need the following:
"APS workers need training.
APS workers lack knowledge and understanding of Alzheimer's effect on the patient and its impact on the patients family
APS does not follow through and does not provide feedback
APS like a black hole, they never know what priority was given to their report and what action was taken.
APS workers need managerial support.
Caseloads are overwhelming
APS is proprietary; they have control of clients and won't allow other agencies to help patients
Most services provided by APS are for clients with capacity and Alzheimer's patient do not have capacity
Need a local number for APS
APS needs a place to take clients who are out of control"
Out of control!
Dear Kenneth:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your experience with Adult Protective Services (APS). I was truly sorry to read of your difficulties.

I sympathize with your concerns, and I appreciate you bringing this matter to my attention. Because senatorial courtesy requires that Senators each be allowed to assist their own constituents, I have taken the liberty of forwarding your correspondence to Senator Steve Ogden, who represents you in the Texas Senate. You may also contact his office directly at (512) 828-5224.

I wish you a satisfactory resolution to your concerns and hope that you will continue to communicate with your elected representatives on issues of importance to you.

Very truly yours,
Senator Jane Nelson

cc: The Honorable Steve Ogden

My family has experienced APS lack of planning in regards to people without capacity---in my family's case the APS attempted to treatment my MIL as if she had capacity when it would help support the APS investigation, however they APS found that she was without capacity in regards to anything we have done. For example in 8/07 my MIL requested that my wife help get her life back---my wife agreed and applied for POA of her mother, the POA was notarized and consistent with Texas Law. APS in an investigation 8 months later claimed that the POA was invalid---however the APS had my MIL sign a privacy release in 10/07, the APS questioned my MIL as if she had capacity, and the APS documented information from these investigations as if my MIL had capacity. I agree APS needs uniformed overhaul in regards to Alz clients.

klcouncil