Polk County Wisconsin Adult/Long Term Services

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Polk County Human Services Department

Adult Protective Services
(Elder) Adults-At-Risk Agency – Adult Protection
Over 3,000 cases of elder abuse are reported each year in Wisconsin. There are many types of abuse. The most obvious is physical abuse. But there are other types that do not involve any physical violence, such as verbal or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual assault, or neglect or self-neglect. Descriptions of the two populations protected in the (Elder) Adults-At-Risk Agency are:Adult-at-Risk.

An “adult-at-risk” is any adult who has a physical or mental condition that substantially impairs his or her ability to care for his or her needs and who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation [s.55.01(1e)].

An “elder adult-at-risk” is any person age 60 or older who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation [s.46.90(1)(br)].

Guardianships/Protective Placements
This program consists of paperwork petitioning the court for guardianship/protective placement; comprehensive evaluations; possibly appearing in court; and conducting yearly WATTS reviews. WATTS reviews must be face-to-face contact with the client who is protectively placed. The social worker makes a determination as to whether the current placement is the least restrictive placement for the client. This report is forwarded to the court for review. Polk County's Corporation Counsel is involved in guardianship cases where the client meets eligibility guidelines for income and assets. On cases where the client’s income is above our guidelines for eligibility, the family must employ a private attorney to do the guardianship and protective placement.

Representative Payee
Social Security (SS) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if after a careful investigation, may appoint the county as representative payee for adults who are unable to manage their finances because of severe physical or mental limitations. Almost all children under age 18 have payees, but is usually a parent. When Social Security appoints Polk County as representative payee, a social worker is assigned to the case to manage the funds.

The Haven - Adult Day Care Program
The Haven is an adult day care program designed for older adults with memory loss or confusion due to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, or similar disorders. It offers a break from constant care-giving duties and the comfort of knowing that your loved one is safe and enjoying their day. A variety of activities are planned for each day. The Haven is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the following sites:

Dresser – Mondays – Peace Lutheran Church, 2355 Clark Road

Amery – Tuesday and Thursdays – First Lutheran Church, 240 Elm Street

Luck – Fridays -- Luck Lutheran Church, 510 Foster Street

For more information about The Haven, call Elsie at (715) 485-8412