Adult Protective Services - (336) 703-3503

Article 6, Chapter 108A of the North Carolina General Statutes requires that county departments of social services provide protection services for disabled adults who are alleged to be abused, neglected or exploited and in need of protective services.

As the population ages, the number of adults who become disabled increases as well. The statutes specifically address the need of the community to protect vulnerable disabled adults who cannot provide or secure protection and essential services for themselves and who have no other person(s) to provide protection.

A disabled adult is defined by the statutes as any person 18 years of age or older (16-18 if lawfully emancipated minor) who is present in the state of N.C., and physically and/or mentally incapacitated due to:

Mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism, or
Organic brain damage caused by advanced age or other physical degeneration in connection therewith; or
Conditions incurred at any age which are the result of accident, organic brain damage, mental or physical illness, or continued consumption or absorption of substances.