Warren County APS Urges Residents to Watch for Elder Abuse, Financial Scams

Warren County Adult Protective Services is asking residents to keep an eye out for older adults and incapacitated adults who may be facing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.

During a Royal Examiner interview, Brenda Norman, Adult Protective Services supervisor for Warren County, was joined by APS investigators Natasha Garfola and Megan Vardaman to explain what their office does, how residents can report concerns, and why awareness is especially important as Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches.

Norman said Adult Protective Services, or APS, investigates concerns involving adults age 60 and older, as well as adults ages 18 to 59 who are incapacitated.

“Adult Protective Services, what our role is, if we get a concern of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult, it’s our job to look at that, see if it meets the criteria for us to be able to investigate,” Norman said.

If a report meets the criteria, APS investigators investigate the concern and determine whether a finding is founded. Norman said the office then works with the adult and, when appropriate, family members to help “stop, protect, and prevent abuse.”

Local APS data shows the need is steady. From Jan. 1, 2023, through May 31, 2026, Warren County APS received 1,264 reports. Of those, 632 investigations were started, and 632 were completed. The report also lists 81 cases in which protective services were accepted, 38 in which protective services were refused, and 118 in which the need for protective services no longer existed.

Self-neglect was the most common founded finding during that period, with 114 cases. Neglect followed with 76 cases, and financial exploitation was third with 46. The report also listed 11 physical abuse findings, nine mental abuse findings, four other exploitation findings, and two sexual abuse findings.

The trend report notes that self-neglect and neglect were the most common founded findings, pointing to concerns tied to aging, medical needs, housing conditions, and difficulty meeting basic needs. It also notes that the majority of clients were aged 75 and older, showing that the oldest adults remain among the most vulnerable people served.

Garfola said financial exploitation is one area many people do not realize APS handles.

“We do abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and a lot of people don’t realize that we actually do financial exploitation as well,” Garfola said.

The numbers are significant. From 2023 through May 2026, known or estimated losses from financial exploitation totaled $2,065,521.92 in Warren County APS cases. Of that, $243,021.54 was recovered. Scams were the most common type of financial exploitation, followed by fraud and unauthorized credit card use.

Norman said scammers often use kindness, pressure, or personal connection to gain trust.

“They will be your best friend until they get what they want,” Norman said.

APS workers said scams can happen to anyone, not only older adults. But older residents may be at greater risk, especially when they are isolated or lonely. Garfola said many clients live alone, and even a short daily conversation can create a bond that scammers know how to exploit.

Vardaman said one of the most important parts of APS work is respecting the rights of adults, even when others may not agree with their choices.

“Just because someone lives a way that we wouldn’t choose for ourselves isn’t abuse necessarily,” Vardaman said. “And also, people have the right to choose whether they want to work with us or not.”

The APS trend report echoes that point, stating that adults have the right to make their own decisions, accept services, refuse services, and live in a manner others may not choose for themselves. APS does not exist to force people into services, according to the report. Its role is to educate, support, assess risk, and offer assistance.

When someone does accept help, APS may connect them with legal resources, caregivers, transportation, in-home services, or other supports. Vardaman said workers may also monitor cases to make sure services are helping.

“A lot of times we do what’s called monitoring, where we just come in every couple of weeks and make sure you’re still doing okay, that those services we set up are still working for you,” Vardaman said.

The office also works with law enforcement, licensing agencies, and community partners when needed. Norman said APS investigations are civil protective investigations, not criminal cases, but certain allegations may be reported to the appropriate agency.

APS data for 2026 shows the work has continued. Through May 31, the office had received 179 reports, initiated 98 investigations, and completed 109. Fifteen cases resulted in protective services being accepted, while 10 involved protective services being refused. Twenty-four self-neglect cases and eight financial exploitation cases have been reported in 2026 to date. Known or estimated financial exploitation losses for 2026 totaled $93,639.38, with no money recovered as of the report.

The APS team also identified service gaps in the community, including affordable housing for older adults, single-level and accessible housing, affordable assisted living, in-home caregiver availability, transportation resources, support for family caregivers, dementia resources, and more education about scams and financial exploitation.

Norman said residents can help by reporting concerns, even if they are not sure whether a situation meets the standard for an investigation.

“Even if we can’t do something this time, report it again,” Norman said. “Because we really do analyze and look at those patterns.”

In observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, APS is encouraging residents to wear purple on Monday, June 15. The message is simple: stop, protect, prevent. Concerns can be reported to the APS hotline at 888-832-3858 or Warren County Department of Social Services intake at 540-635-3430, ext. 3333.

In an immediate danger situation, residents should call 911.

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