Can APS just walk in?

Are you certain it was actually APS? I've heard a lot recently about folks impersonating APS to gain unlawful entry.

No. Make a formal complaint.

APS probably do, depending on circumstances, have the legal right to insist on entry into a person's home. But the way you describe this situation, this is about codes of conduct rather than the law as such.

At the very top of the form we fill in at Every Single Visit, it reads, on the checklist:

"Consent gained for support (consider the client's mental capacity to consent): Y/N.
Details if consent could not be gained............................................................................"

Similarly, that worker from APS ought to have waited for your friend's explicit consent to enter the home, let alone to begin searching it.

Assist your friend to make a formal complaint. You can find out from APS themselves what the correct procedure is; and then the aim is for workers on that team to be reminded that there are protocols and they do need to be followed.

Consent needs to be given for:
entry into the home
any actions taken while in the home
recording of information
forwarding of information

When APS is investigating a concern, they do of course have various legal tools at their disposal simply because some of the people most at risk won't be able to give their consent whether through incapacity, coercion, illness, whatever. But in this case it seems there was nothing to stop the worker waiting a reasonable time for you to bring your friend in, and then asking your friend's permission to begin the visit. Plain disrespectful, I call it. I hope you get a satisfactory response and an apology on your friend's behalf.

Just my opinion, but this is still the United States of America, with freedoms granted that no one can enter your home without permission. Without a warrant. Or exigent circumstances?

A part of what this country is founded on. Freedom.

We should continue to exercise that right well into our elder years.
The authority can make an appointment, come back later, or call for back-up in most cases. Has anyone ever experienced a swat team entering one's home just because a prankster called swat?

Authorities attempting to gain access should be stopped at the door until an elder has a witness present, identity is confirmed, and the elder says yes or no. One can always pick up the phone and call 911 themselves.

APS, CPS have been over-stepping their authority for too long. imo.

APS role is to make sure older adults are safe and well cared for in their current living situation. Frail, ill and confused seniors are as vulnerable as children. APS will only come to investigate if someone has called them with a concern. They are supposed to arrive unannounced so guilty caregivers don't have time to make the situation right. The APS workers role is to make sure the older adult is not in danger, has food, and is being well cared for with no signs of neglect. If you are not hiding anything, why would you not let them in? If you refuse to allow them to enter, they will return with a police escort and things may get ugly from there. Like in previous answers, you must do your due diligence by checking their ID to verify who they are and contact the office to make sure they are who they say they are- too many scams going on these days. If the senior is found to be in a not-ideal-but-safe situation, APS can assist in helping to rectify the situation to make it safe. They can make referrals to get help for the senior and their caregivers. One such referral may be to a geriatric care manager. But if the home is found to be profoundly unsafe, or it is an abusive/neglectful environment then they will, and should, remove the older adult from the home and get them to the hospital. From there, discharge planners will professionally determine if going home is a safe discharge plan, or if putting services and equipment in the home can make home be a safe discharge plan. If returning home is out of the question then they will find appropriate placement for the senior. The bottom line: if the home is safe and the older adult is well cared for, there should be no reason not to let APS into the home (after they have been verified). Not letting them enter the home sends up many red flags and speaks volumes. What are you hiding? There is nothing to worry about if everything is safe and as it should be but if not, the caregiver or family member deserves to be "caught with their pants down", arrested and brought up on abuse/neglect charges. How can any upstanding person not cooperate in the process of making sure a vulnerable senior is safe?

RevRon, I concur with Barb and NotGoodEnough, as well as Countrymouse on the broader issues.

Did this woman offer any ID?  Was she carrying notebooks or anything in which she could take notes?   And, although I hate to ask it, has anything been missing?

Ask permission first.

IF permission is refused, by the person whose house it is (even if that person is the subject of concern), then the worker may have to insist on the right of entry, with the backing of law enforcement if necessary. But only if!

We have a similar issue with reporting. There are certain safeguarding and welfare issues which, if they come to light, we must report; and we must report them with or without the person's agreement. But we'd much rather gain the agreement, and there is usually a way to achieve it - it only wants a little tact and consideration.

Barb raises an essential point about checking identity before granting access - a timely reminder, it's the sort of thing we all know we ought to do but...

If your friend was "under heavy meds" I hope you hung around to make sure every thing was on the up and up. Did they show any paperwork, or fill any in? This sounds fishy to me too

Sorry to give you this answer,but they can. Someone must have called them. They have good intentions. And usually they will work with you to help clear up anything wrong. Do not fight against them for it will not help. Stay blessed and continue to do the right thing.

As a former state elder care manager, I assure you APS is not your enemy. My agency provided these services when there was a question of elder abuse or unsafe living conditions. However, any concerned person(neighbor , case worker, professional care giver etc ,or relative) may make a report to APS. Not all reports are valid , but APS workers have to investigate circumstances. Also we used to have the police do "well being" checks on elders living alone. We did this when the elder didn't answer phone or a knock on door. BTW, as a care manager, I had to call clients in advance of visit. APS has somewhat more leeway, but should always show ID and be respectful.

If in doubt I would not let them in period. I would call 911, let the police come and adjudicate. The police should know if they are allowed in or need a court order or whatever. That is the police's job.