Each year during the month of May, the Administration for Community Living announces the theme for Older Americans Month. The theme for 2025 is “Flip the Script on Aging” which focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. Adult Protective Services joins the Administration for Community Living, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and several local senior network agencies across the state to highlight Older Americans Month (OAM).
An estimated 5.9 million people 60 or older live in Texas, according to the Texas Demographic Center. As this number increases, so does the need for older adults to form meaningful relationships and social connections. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation reminding Texans of the responsibility to care for older adults.
Adults have tremendous power when it comes to protecting children. Of course, we have surely heard of cases where adults have lifted vehicles to protect children or seemed to have inhuman speed to move children out of the path of a disaster. But then there are the less obvious superhero qualities... For example, when adults work together as a community, studies show that we have the superpower of being able to collectively prevent abuse from happening in the first place. But our superpowers shine more brilliantly when we recognize that we individually have great power in positively influencing a child's ability to disclose abuse. This gives us opportunities to stop abuse and influence a child's rate and pace of healing and resilience. What we do as safe adults can actually change the trajectory of a child's wellbeing over their entire lifetime.
We, the participants of the
Conference on Safeguarding
in the Catholic Church in
Europe, held in Rome from 13-15
November 2024, come together
with a shared commitment to
enhance the protection and
safety of all individuals within
our communities – especially
children and vulnerable adults.
Recognizing the diverse cultural
contexts across Europe,
we emphasize the importance
of fostering a common language
of safeguarding that respects
these differences and of working
collaboratively to eliminate
the many forms of abuse
through institutional and
community conversion.
[EIM] Addressing the Human Aspect of Crisis: Psychological first aid is a simple, yet powerful way of helping someone in distress. It is a form of helping that involves paying attention to the person’s reactions, active listening and if relevant, practical assistance to help address immediate problems and basic needs. Learning PFA skills and understanding reactions to crises empowers the helper not only to help others, but also to apply the same skills to their own crises.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are trusted, community-based organizations that help older adults remain independent, connected, and supported as they age. This session will provide an overview of the core programs and services offered by most Area Agencies on Aging — including in-home assistance, caregiver support, Medicare benefits counseling, and nutrition services — and how these services can improve quality of life for older adults and their families. Learn how the AAA collaborates with local partners and how professionals can refer individuals to resources that promote safety, dignity, and long-term stability.
The purpose of this training is to educate and inform the audience an overview of Adult Protective Services and reporting requirements. This training covers the basics for reporting through the hotline and online reporting system. The audience will gain a better understanding of legal definitions of abuse, neglect, & financial exploitation, the reporting and investigation process and services APS provide when maltreatment has been confirmed.