Adult Protective Services is Now Just a Click Away

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL  --- Oklahoma is getting older. According to the U.S. Census, Oklahoma currently ranks 13th in the nation in the percentage of population aged 60 and older. And by 2020 one in six Oklahomans will be at least 65 years of age, with the fastest growing population segment being the 85 and older group.
Now there is a powerful new resource available to help protect our elderly and disabled population from becoming victims of abuse. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services Unit has launched a new Web site that offers a wealth of information on adult abuse and neglect.

“Whether it’s warning signs, terminology or prevention tips, anything you want to know about keeping our elderly and disabled friends and neighbors safe and healthy is only a mouse click away,” said Barbara Kidder, OKDHS Adult Protective Services director. “As our state’s elderly population continues to grow, so will the problem of adult abuse. This Web site puts us ahead of the game by giving Oklahomans a resource to educate themselves about adult abuse and help stop it before it starts.”

The new site not only contains valuable information, but it also features stories from OKDHS staff and families of adult abuse victims about how Adult Protective Services has helped save lives. The site also features an interactive state map that allows users to locate the Adult Protective Services worker in their area by phone number, address and even lets them e-mail the worker about possible abuse.

“All you have to do is click on the county, and you have all the information you need to report abuse in your area,” said Kidder. “As with most Web sites, this is a work in progress, we already have plans to add new features and to make the site faster. But we’re confident that this is easily one of the best Adult Protective Services resources on the Internet.”

To use this new Internet tool, got to www.OKDHS.org. To report suspected abuse, contact the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-522-3511, or contact your local OKDHS office.

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