OKMULGEE – Neglect and abuse can manifest in many different ways: it can be verbal, physical, intentional, negligent, and exploitative. When this happens to vulnerable Mvskoke citizens, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Adult Protective Services can investigate and provide needed assistance.
To be eligible for MCN APS services the adult must be a MCN citizen, 18 years or older (vulnerable or incapacitated), reside within MCN jurisdiction boundaries and must meet program criteria of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of a vulnerable or incapacitated adult/elder.
MCN Manager of APS and Ombudsman Program Tammy McFalls (Mvskoke) spoke to Mvskoke Media about APS, the signs, process of reporting, and what APS can do for citizens in need.
Forms of abuse and neglect
APS can step in when elders and incapacitated adults experience physical abuse- the intentional or negligent infliction of bodily harm. APS can also step in when there is suspected neglect or self-neglect. Neglect happens when a caretaker fails to provide the basic needs by not supplying resources, services or supervision. Self-neglect is a behavioral condition where an individual neglects to attend to their basic daily needs; they might be medical, nutrition, hygiene and appropriate clothing. Exploitation is another form of abuse where APS can help. Exploitation involves the unauthorized and/or improper use of funds, property, or other resources of an elder or incapacitated adult.
According to McFalls, other factors are considered when APS looks into each individual case.
Reporting to APS
To report suspected signs of abuse and neglect, the first step is to contact APS via phone, email, or in-person. When someone calls to report, APS will take information about the individual and determine if it meets criteria for involvement, and it will be assigned to a case specialist, who will then make contact within 3 days. From there, the investigation will begin, with risk factors and informed consent taken into account. APS keeps reporters confidential and they also do not share details about cases.
McFalls also explained that given the circumstance an emergency pick-up is possible and shouldn’t take that long depending on the case.
According to McFall, if an individual is capable of living independently away from an abusive caregiver, APS will work on getting service within their home. They will also work on placing the individual in a care home voluntarily.
“We don’t remove, we can’t make a person do anything, and especially if they have the capacity. We don’t have those rights at all. The only way we can remove a person from the home, depends on circumstance, also if AG is allowing us to do an emergency pick up,” McFalls said.
McFalls stressed that it is up to the individual to make decisions.
“Other than that, if they don’t have the capacity and we find that they can’t take care of themselves and that person that was taking care of them wasn’t doing what they should be doing then we probably would place them in a facility at their will, but if we haven’t found fault to take them into custody,” McFalls said.
MCN Ombudsman Program
APS and the MCN Ombudsman Program are two different programs. “Ombudsman, they go out to a nursing home where our Creek citizens are located, they will advocate for the citizens that’s in the facility, they are their voice, but they have restrictions of what they can or cannot do,” McFalls said.
APS also collaborates with OK DHS, who will notify MCN APS of enrolled Mvskoke citizens needing assistance.
You can contact the APS direct line at 918-549-2489 or through fax at 918-549-2980. To reach McFall’s mobile work phone, call 539-286-4033 and her email is tmcfalls@muscogeenation.com
