Understanding Elder Abuse: Utilizing San Francisco Adult Protection Services

The “Protecting Our Seniors” series aims to raise awareness about the often overlooked but critically important issue of elder abuse. Throughout the series, we will delve into the various forms of elder abuse, its prevalence, warning signs, prevention strategies, and resources available for victims and their families. By bringing together representatives from Adult Protective Services (APS), victim services organizations, and the District Attorney’s office, we hope to provide comprehensive insights and guidance on addressing elder abuse within our community.

April 23, 2024 – Understanding Elder Abuse: Utilizing San Francisco Adult Protection Services
In the first session, we will provide an overview of elder abuse, including its definition, types (physical, emotional, financial, neglect, and sexual), and the demographics most vulnerable to exploitation. Kari Kientzy, Program Section Manager from APS will discuss their role in investigating and addressing reports of elder abuse, along with the legal and ethical considerations involved.

Kari Kientzy, LCSW is an Adult Protective Services (APS) Program Section Manager for the City and County of San Francisco, CA. She has over 15 years of experience of advocating for seniors and adults with disabilities in various capacities. She has led Quality Assurance projects, the Financial Abuse Virtual Unit since its inception in 2018, and she has represented the program in various multidepartment and multiagency endeavors to help protect older adults and adults with disabilities in San Francisco. She has participated in the California Welfare Directors Association’s Protective Services Operations Committee, and she is currently the Chair of its Central Regional subcommittee. She earned her MSW from University of California, Berkeley.