Arizona agencies are failing vulnerable adults. What's being done about this?

Arizona adults unable to protect themselves from abuse or
exploitation because of a physical or mental impairment are
falling through the cracks of the state system designed to protect
them.   This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics
podcast, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen get an advance
interview with healthcare reporter Stephanie Innes about her
reporting on the flawed system serving vulnerable
adults.  This includes myriad agencies, such as Arizona's
Adult Protective Services, Arizona Department of Health
Services and more. The episode takes you behind the scenes into a
state task force meeting to hear heartbreaking testimony from
victims and their families, and how local leaders are hoping to
improve conditions. The state task force convened after a woman
with severe disabilities was raped and gave birth at Hacienda
HealthCare in December 2018.  Staff at the facility
was unaware the woman was pregnant until she went into labor,
according to 911 calls. -- For suspected abuse, neglect or
exploitation of a vulnerable adult, Adult Protective Services
operates a hotline: (877) SOS-ADULT or (877) 767-2385 or TDD:
(877) 815-8390. The hotline does not run 24/7, however. The hours
are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on
Saturday, Sunday and state holidays. To file online reports with
Adult Protective Services at any time, use this link:
azdes.gov/reportadultabuse. To file online complaints about
facilities that are licensed through the Arizona Department of
Health Services, go
here: app3.azdhs.gov/PROD-AZHSComplaint-UI. The main phone
number for the Arizona Department of Health Services is (602)
364-2536. The Arizona Center for Disability Law is a
non-profit public interest law firm that provides a variety of
legal services to people with disabilities. Its toll-free
number is 1-800-927-2260. The center has an online intake form
and self-advocacy guides at azdisabilitylaw.org/getting-help/.
The Area Agency on Aging operates a 24-hour senior helpline
for Phoenix residents at (602) 264-HELP or (602) 264-4357, which
can help seniors navigate local resources and
answer questions about transportation, housing, long-term
care, home-delivered meals and home care. The San Francisco-based
Institute on Aging maintains a 24/7 toll-free crisis
"Friendship Line" for older adults and adults with disabilities.
The number is (800) 971-0016. Trained volunteers specialize in
offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with
depressed adults. The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and
Domestic Violence (800) 782-6400 or (602) 279-7270 (TTD/TTY).
The national domestic violence hotline: (800) 799-7233 or (800)
787-3224 (TTY). The national sexual assault hotline: (800)
656-HOPE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
megaphone.fm/adchoices