Goal 4: Reduce occurrences of abuse, neglect and exploitation while improving outcomes in communities and long-term care settings
Story Behind the Curve
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.
What We Do
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.
Who We Serve
Vulnerable adults who are 18 years of age and older.
How We Impact
Ensure that appropriate services, supports and resources are made available to all APS referred clients.
Design Specification: Non-Data Driven Measure
|
Design Specification: Non-Data Driven Measure |
Performance Dates |
Frequency of Reporting |
Actions Taken/Results |
|
Provide training on underserved populations to APS staff at least once per year |
☒ 2022 ☒ 2023 ☒ 2024 ☒ 2025 |
☒ Annually Reporting Months ↓ July SFY22 (7/1/2021–6/30/2022) |
|
Story Behind the Curve
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.
What We Do
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.
Who We Serve
Vulnerable adults who are 18 years of age and older.
How We Impact
Ensure that appropriate services, supports and resources are made available to all APS referred clients.
Story Behind the Curve
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.
What We Do
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.
Who We Serve
Vulnerable adults who are 18 years of age and older.
How We Impact
Ensure that appropriate services, supports and resources are made available to all APS referred clients.
Story Behind the Curve
Performance date does not begin until FY 23. The raw total of volunteers as of 6/30/2022 was 27.
Partners
LTCOP wants to strengthen its partnership with other community members who are frequently visiting long-term care facilities. Other stakeholder groups continue to be identified as Community Advocates for residents in long-term care settings, including those making friendly visits or interacting with residents via other advocacy work. LTCOP continues to extend this training to all community groups as New Mexicans are becoming increasingly aware of the impact quality of life in long-term care settings has on everyone. As the community becomes more familiar with the unique and critical role of LTCOP, the program anticipates more people will be inspired to become Certified Ombudsman Volunteers. This includes stakeholder groups such as first responders, hospice providers, New Mexico Chapter—Alzheimer's Association. and volunteer organizations such as JustServe.org and RSVP.
LTCOP utilizes multiple media platforms in its engagement efforts, including social media, radio, TV, and print. Additionally, the program seeks opportunities to represent LTCOP to community members and stakeholders.
What Works
Volunteer recruitment and retention activities are continuous. This includes representing the program at community events, conferences that target community members and professionals, creating internship opportunities with university programs, and targeted media strategies across multiple platforms. LTCOP continues to develop strategies to not only recruit but maintain its volunteer workforce. Ombudsman volunteers who achieve certification are full representatives of the program. Volunteers report satisfaction in performing critical role in their community, especially advocating for residents in long-term care settings. As such, they identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents; provide information to residents about long-term services and supports; and ensure that residents have regular and timely access to ombudsman services.
LTCOP will focus campaigns toward targeted demographics, identifying groups of individuals who have the time and interest to contribute to their community by becoming an Ombudsman Volunteer and getting the message about the program and volunteer opportunity to where they are. This requires use of multiple media platforms in its engagement efforts, including social media, radio, TV, and print; attending community events; and identifying and leveraging existing infrastructure (i.e. newsletters, mailers, websites, social media, etc.) of community groups to reach volunteers.
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
Design Specification: Non-Data Driven Measure
|
Design Specification: Non-Data Driven Measure |
Performance Dates |
Frequency of Reporting |
Actions Taken/Results |
|
Create a marketing plan for volunteer recruitment and retention including resident’s rights |
☒ 2023 ☒ 2024 ☒ 2025 |
☒ Annually Reporting Months ↓ July SFY22 (7/1/2021–6/30/2022) |
FY 22 establishes a baseline. |
Story Behind the Curve
Currently there are only 5 regions for LTCOP (NW, NE, SW, SE and Metro). All RC positions were filled as of 6/30/2022.
Partners
New Mexico State Personnel Office
What Works
LTCOP has improved the long-term care ombudsman training which will help in preparing new staff for the job and improve retention. LTCOP has also restructured operations within the division to carry out a more cohesive approach to carry out the role of the regional coordinators, including volunteer recruitment and oversight, inter-departmental referrals, and in-person visits to long-term care facilities with the aim of improving efficiency and job performance and satisfaction.
What We Do
Who We Serve
How We Impact
Design Specification: Non-Data Driven Measure
|
Design Specification: Non-Data Driven Measure |
Performance Dates |
Frequency of Reporting |
Actions Taken/Results |
|
Raise the number of RC investigative specialists by filling vacant positions. |
☒ 2022 ☒ 2023 ☒ 2024 ☒ 2025 |
☒ Annually Reporting Months ↓ July SFY22 (7/1/2021–6/30/2022) |
Currently there are only 5 regions for LTCOP (NW, NE, SW, SE and Metro). All RC positions were filled as of 6/30/2022. |
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