How do I contact DSS ?

	Avoiding conversation, for no apparent reason.
	Withdrawal from others.
	Insomnia
	Other changes in behavior including depression and eating habits.

Injuring, causing physical or mental pain, excess confinement or deprivation by the caretaker.

How can I tell if an adult has been physically abused?

	Look for skin injuries that may be healing.   Any injury should be reported and investigated.  Note what the injured area looks like.  Pictures and other details are helpful.
	Has the adult been properly sheltered?

Have they been confined in excess?

What is considered Neglect?

Neglect can be divided into two categories?   Self-Neglect and Caretaker Neglect. Self-Neglect is a disabled adult who left to care for themselves, and is unable to do so.  An experienced Social Worker can do an assesment of the situation, along with some history research and suggest a solution.   Quite often this assesment is not used, and self-neglect is the result.    Examples include improper hygiene, lack of nourishment, excessive loss of weight, forgetting to take medications, and the ever popular -Leaving the stove On. Caretaker Neglect is when this individual does not properly see to the needs of the disabled adult, as expected.  This can be intentional or unintentional.  In many case a person will assume the position of caretaker, only to find that they cannot complete the many duties as required.  Very often a third person must step in to suggest a replacement.

What is Exploitation of a Disabled Adult?

Exploitation can have many faces, but the primary cause is the improper use od a disabled adult's assests.  In many cases a caretaker will take advantage of their position to make some type of profit.   This can include:  Excessive bank account withdrawals, large payments for minor services,  deceit to convince the adult to turn over assets to another person, mismanagement of the adults funds / assets, or sexual activity