When a person notifies the Department of Aging and Adult Services regarding possible abuse or neglect of an elder/dependent adult, Adult Protective Services (APS) social workers determine how quickly to proceed with an investigation by assessing the referral information and focusing on the present and future risks to the elder/dependent adult. Considering the condition of the elder/dependent adult and the risk of future maltreatment helps a social worker determine how quickly to respond to a APS referral and what priority to assign that referral. This process involves accepting oral or written allegations of elder/dependent adult abuse or neglect for further investigation, gathering the information to determine the need for APS and the urgency of the situation and initiating the appropriate response and an investigative plan.