MOUNT VERNON — Neglect remains the number 1 reason Knox County seniors are referred to Adult Protective Services, but exploitation is on the rise.
In 2019, Knox County Job & Family Services partnered with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging (AOA) as a resource to provide adult protective services (APS) to the county’s senior population.
“We didn’t feel like we were casting a wide enough net to reach out to those folks and help them with the abuse and neglect and exploitation that they were facing,” Scott Boone, director of KCJFS, explained.
“The numbers have shown that we’ve served a whole lot of families and individuals over the past six years.”
In 2024, APS received 341 referrals for Knox County, of which more than 200 resulted in cases being opened.
“Of that, neglect was the highest category. That’s been pretty on par with what we’ve seen over the past several years,” Area on Aging APS supervisor Rick Meeker said. “We anticipate that number will continue to increase just because folks are living on a fixed income.”
Neglect means someone cannot meet their needs, whether medical, food, clothing, shelter, or mental health.
“We’re seeing a lot now unfortunately with housing,” Meeker said.
However, Meeker said it does not mean intentionality exists behind those unmet needs.
It could be a caregiver trying their best but not having the tools or resources to assist a senior.
Exploitation cases on the rise for Knox County seniors
Meeker said exploitation cases are rising and, in some areas, are beginning to surpass neglect.
“There are a lot more people out there who are trying to scam older adults, so we’re trying to provide education,” he said.
“As folks get scared, get overwhelmed, they hear that there’s something wrong, they get a phone call, they’re immediately handing over all of this information and then at the end of that, it can be very tough to recover for some of those people.”
He said that can lead to neglect because some seniors lose their housing because they fall for a scam.
“Exploiters do a really good job of working on the emotional center of the brain, not the logical center. When that emotional center in the brain kicks in, it becomes an overwhelming command, that fear factor, to listen to that and react.”
Rick Meeker, Ohio Area on Aging, Adult Protective Services
“Unfortunately, a lot of times the money is lost, and we’re not able to do things to recover,” Meeker said.
He said banks do a great job of alerting clients and in recovery efforts, but it is becoming more difficult with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
Demand grows for in-home caregivers
Thirty-five cases involved requests for home repair assistance, which included help with appliances, installing a furnace, and home repair.
Help also includes installing a wheelchair ramp, utility assistance, and rental assistance to help an individual stay in the home or apartment.
“In many cases, many generations have lived in these homes and they did a lot of work. If we can help keep people there, that’s the primary goal,” Trae Turner, chief of Community Living at Area on Aging, said.
Knox County seniors also need cleaning services, respite services for caregivers, and food and nutrition services.
A workforce shortage of in-home caregivers is an ongoing problem.
“We do see a lot of people that one of the big things that keeps them independent and safe in the home is as basic as somebody coming by just to help give them some personal care and a bath,” Turner said.
“We have made some strides in the rates and helping to get rates increased. That has helped with our waiting list, but it’s still an issue, especially when you get into rural parts of our region.”
In addition to meeting immediate needs, the AOA focuses on long-term support, such as enrolling individuals in the PASSPORT program or Medicaid.
Funding for APS services
Knox County JFS contracts with the AOA for the adult protective services work. The current contract is $160,000.
Part of that funding is for two case manager positions, a supervisor, the admin support staff, mileage and travel, training, supplies, IT equipment, and miscellaneous supportive services.
Boone said that previously, JFS used levy dollars for adult protective services. However, the agency has pulled back from that, given the needs of other community organizations.
It now uses JFS budget money to supplement the work.
The Area on Aging uses state and federal funds to work with organizations such as The Station Break for meals and transportation.
“We also get funds that run through the Area Agency on Aging that we directly administer and bring services,” Turner said.
Anyone wishing to request help or report a potential abuse or neglect case can request a referral through the state Job & Family Services website.
They could also contact the local JFS offices at 740-392-KIDS.
