We are committed to protecting the safety of adults who are not able to protect themselves and to promoting the personal choice and self-determination of all we serve.
New Mexico has a “Duty to Report” provision in the Adult Protective Services Act (27-7-30) which states: “Any person, or financial institution, having reasonable cause to believe that an incapacitated adult is being abused, neglected or exploited shall immediately report that information to Adult Protective Services.” Adult Protective Services remains on call for emergent reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are 5 Adult Protective Services Regions serving all 33 counties of New Mexico:
- Northeast: Serving Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Taos, Colfax, Union, Mora, Harding, San Miguel, and Guadalupe counties
- Northwest: Serving San Juan, McKinley, Cibola, Valencia, and Socorro counties, in addition to part of Sandoval county
- Metro: Serving Bernalillo, Torrance, and Sandoval counties
- Southeast: Serving Lincoln, De Baca, Quay, Curry, Roosevelt, Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties
- Southwest: Serving Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana, and Otero counties
Awareness
Adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation are under-reported, yet can have severe or even deadly consequences. Older victims are four times more likely to be admitted to a nursing home, and have a risk of dying three times that of non-abused seniors. Adult Protective Services is the last resort for victims of elder abuse and younger adults with severe disabilities, serving as the “safety net for the safety net.”
Broad education of the public is necessary to ensure reporting of any suspected adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. APS is actively involved in outreach and training.
Alzheimer’s Association:
Persons with dementia are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Call the Adult Protective Services Statewide Intake at 1-866-654-3219 to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
