Services to Adults Greater Vancouver Regional Office 700-808 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Ph: 604.775.1007 Fax: 604.660.9498 Lower Mainland Regional Office 700-808 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Ph: 604.775.1001 Fax: 604.660.9479 Vancouver Island Regional Office 1019 Wharf Street, 4th floor, Victoria, BC Mailing: PO Box 9251, Victoria, BC  V8W 9J2 Ph: 250.356.8160 Fax: 250.356.7442 Interior-North Regional Office 1345 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC  V1Y 2E2 Ph: 250.712.7576 Fax: 250.712.7578 Estate Liaison Services 700-808 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3 Fax: 604.775.0459 Ph: 604.775.0368 Private Committee Services 700-808 West Hastings Street , Vancouver , BC V6C 3L3 Fax: 604.660.4456 Ph: 604.660.1500 See Contact Us page for hours of service.

Assessment and Investigations

Helping an Adult Get Support and Receiving Reports of Abuse or Neglect

A person who cannot manage his or her own financial, legal and personal care matters is vulnerable in our society.  He or she may find routine banking and legal matters difficult or even impossible, lose track of bank accounts, forget to pay bills or be persuaded to turn property over to strangers. 

Each year thousands of people call the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) to find out what they can do to help a friend or relative who is not able to manage finances, legal matters and health and personal decisions on his or her own or to report possible abuse or neglect of an adult who may not be able to manage independently.

It can sometimes be difficult to know if or when to step in. Sometimes adults cannot seek the help they need because of a physical restraint, a physical disability, an illness, disease, injury or other condition that affects their ability to make decisions.

How the PGT Responds to Reports of Financial Abuse or Misconduct

When the PGT receives reports or allegations of financial abuse, our staff will gather information, take steps to protect assets and determine if formal arrangements are required. Often the PGT will coordinate informal resolutions and recommend options and community resources rather than becoming directly involved. While the PGT can step in to assist, the most knowledgeable, caring and compassionate assistance most often comes from a loved one. 

Where the formal assistance of the PGT is indicated, our staff will determine the least restrictive and least intrusive authority necessary and ensure that any required medical assessments, notifications and legal steps are coordinated. More information is available in our Assessment and Investigative Services brochure .

See our publication, “How You Can Help People Manage Finances, Legal Matters When They Cannot Manage on Their Own ” for more information about options available, procedures and costs involved.

See our Contact Us page for regional contact information to discuss options to assist someone or to report suspected financial abuse or misconduct.

Making Reports of Abuse, Neglect or Self-Neglect to Designated Agencies

If you have concerns that an adult is abused, neglected or self-neglected and is refusing support and assistance, and appears to be mentally incapable or physically unable to get help on their own, then you can report the situation to your regional health authority or Community Living BC (for adults with a developmental disability). Under the Adult Guardianship Act, these agencies have a mandate to look into reports of abuse, neglect and self-neglect of adults who can't get help on their own.

Using the attached referral form will facilitate making a report to the PGT. Please fill in the referral form as much as possible, print it out and mail, fax or email the completed form to the PGT Regional office in your area.

Please click on the PDF file: AIS Referral Form

Visit our featured information page Helping an Adult Get Support and Reporting Abuse, for more information on supporting adults, and the Local Numbers to call for individuals.