Human Services
Strengthening Family, Building Community
What is In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?
In-Home Supportive Services is a program that allows persons with disabilities who are unable to perform essential household and/or personal tasks to hire a service provider, at minimum wage, to perform these tasks.
When is a person eligible for In-Home Supportive Services?
If there is a medical need that will last for twelve months or more AND there is financial eligibility, a person may be eligible for IHSS.
How many hours can a service provider work for In-Home Supportive Services?
Hours to be worked for a recipient of IHSS are determined after a social worker goes to the home to assess what services must be provided to keep the person safe. These hours can vary.
Who can be paid to be a service provider for In-Home Supportive Services?
In Siskiyou County, the recipient of the services may hire the provider of his/her choice including a spouse, relative, friend, or neighbor.
What is the Public Guardian/Public Conservator?
The Public Guardian/Public Conservator is the official appointed by the Superior Court to protect the interests of an individual who is not mentally competent.
How long does a conservatorship last?
A probate conservatorship lasts until the conservatee dies or until a request to the Court to terminate the conservatorship is granted by the judge.
What is APS?
APS (Adult Protective Services) is the agency mandated by the State of California to investigate referrals of abuse and neglect for persons over age 64 and dependent adults ages 18 through 64.
What is a dependent adult?
A dependent adult is someone age 18 through 64 who is unable to manage the activities of daily living without assistance on an ongoing basis.
What are the types of abuse?
The State recognizes four general categories of abuse: physical, psychological, financial, and neglect.
Who are the victims?
The majority of the victims are females ages 75 and older. They usually live with their abuser and depend on the abuser for care. They do not report the abuse because they are afraid of the consequences if the abuser is taken away or fear possible physical or emotional retaliation. They often deny the abuse or are reluctant to tell anyone about it because they are ashamed that an adult child, spouse, or caretaker has mistreated them.
Who are the abusers?
Most of the abusers are related to the victim, and are usually adult children or spouses. The typical abuser is a male member of the victim's family who may have problems such as drug and/or alcohol abuse that make the abuser dependent on the victim financially and/or emotionally.
What are the signs of abuse and neglect?
The victim may be unkempt or dirty, malnourished or dehydrated, and/or foul smelling. Their home or yard is in obvious need of repair. The victim may have poor skin condition; patches of hair missing and/or bleeding below the scalp; an untreated medical condition; soiled clothing or bed; torn, stained or bloody underclothing; cuts, pinch marks, skin tears, lacerations or puncture wounds; unexplained bruises or welts in various stages of healing; burns which may be caused by cigarettes, caustics, friction from ropes or chains; injuries that are incompatible with explanations; and/or injuries that reflect outline of object used to inflict it, such as electric cords, belt, hands.
Who can help?
Bank tellers, nurses, neighbors, friends, relatives, notary publics, financial advisors, nursing home staff, attorneys, department store salespeople, anyone that comes in contact with the elderly or dependent adult in the course of their day.