Seniors Abuse Awareness - Sensibilisation à la maltraitance des personnes âgées 67 continued the social worker believes somebody is abusing you, he or she can also ask the court for a warrant or an order to remove that person from where you live. When does the investigation start? If you are in immediate danger, the Department will start the investigation immediately. Otherwise, the Department will start the investigation based on the information received from the referral source. What happens in an investigation? A social worker will come to your home or some other place where you feel safe to explain the reasons for the investigation. He or she will interview you to find out if somebody is neglecting you, or physically, sexually or emotionally abusing you. The social worker will assess your situation to see if your safety and well-being are at risk. The Adult Protection Program recognizes that adults have the right to autonomy and self-determination. What happens after the investigation? If somebody is abusing or neglecting you, the social worker will offer to help. Options may include: • providing social services. • referring you to the proper agency or service. • placing you under protective care. • taking you to a hospital. • calling the police. What if I do not want help? If you are competent to decide, the social worker will only provide services to you if you consent. What if my caregiver doesn't want me to get help? Sometimes a caregiver, relative or friend may try to influence the abused senior not to accept help after the investigation. This is called interference. If someone interferes or tries to stop you from getting help, the adult protection social worker can take steps to help you - so please speak up! What if the social worker thinks I'm neglecting myself? People have the right to live the way they want if they are competent to choose, commit no crime and do not behave dangerously. Adults who do not want help have the right to refuse services and be left alone. People should respect their wishes. The social worker may only offer help and make suggestions. However, the social worker will want to know if this is their usual pattern of behaviour or a sudden change. What if I become mentally incompetent? People who are mentally incompetent may not be able to look after themselves, decide about their care or ask for help. If this happens, a social worker can give a screening test to see if further assessment is necessary. If the social worker has good reason to believe that you are incompetent, in immediate danger and refusing social services, he or she can put you under protective care for up to 5 days. After that time, the protective care order would end or the Department must ask the court for an order to protect you. If you become mentally incompetent and suffer from abuse or neglect, the adult Man photo created by prostooleh - www.freepik.com
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