Big Data Gaps Make Vermont APS Review Difficult

Vermont has made big progress in clearing up a backlog of investigations by the division of state government that investigates reports of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of the elderly and other vulnerable adults.

But there's concern that the Adult Protective Services division of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living may be clearing the backlog in part by being too selective in taking new cases.

The House Human Services Committee heard testimony that APS failed to intervene in a Bennington County case of an 89-yearold woman whose daughter was threatening to kill her.

In another case, a volunteer produced evidence that a younger family member had stolen $700 from a 90-year-old woman, and the agency was reported to have taken no action.

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