Adult Protective Services Ethics and Best Practice Guidelines

The concerns of elders and dependent adults are the starting point of any intervention. From there... 

Elders and dependent adults:

• Have the right to make decisions that do not conform to societal norms as long as these decisions do not harm themselves or others.
• Are presumed to have decision making capacity unless a court adjudicates otherwise.
• Have the right to accept or refuse services.

Adult Protective Services social workers:

• Avoid imposing personal values on elders and dependent adults.
• Respect the elder's and dependent adult’s right to keep personal information confidential.
• Recognize and value individual differences including cultural, historical and personal beliefs of elders and dependent adults.
• Honor the right of elders and dependent adults to receive information about their choices and options in a form or manner that they can understand.