Protective Services Programs For Older Adults

**Attention**
If you know of a situation that may warrant a Protective Services Investigation, please call as soon as possible the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County at 1-814-443-2681 or from Pennsylvania or Maryland toll free at 1-800-452-0825.  Staff will be available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  After business hours, you may reach the ACCESSLINE  by calling 1-800-452-0218.
The Protective Services Act for Older Adults became law in Pennsylvania in 1987.  This act declared that older adults who lack the capacity to protect themselves and are at imminent risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment shall have access to and be provided services to protect their health, safety, and assets.
 
Protective Services Is For:

*Adults age 60 or over

*Adults unable to perform or obtain, without help, services necessary to maintain  physical or mental health

*Adults who have no responsible caretaker at the time of the report, and *Adults who are at imminent risk of danger to their person or property.

About Protective Services

The Area Agency on Aging is the County Protective Services provider in Somerset County.  This Agency has the capacity to accept referrals 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday:  8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  A report may be made by calling the office at 1-800-452-0825 or 814-443-2681 or visiting at 1338 South Edgewood Avenue, Somerset, PA.  Evening, holiday, or weekend referrals are made by contacting ACCESSLINE at 800-452-0218 or 814-443-3639.

Protective Services applies to individuals residing in state-licensed facilities such as  as, nursing homes, personal care boarding homes, domiciliary care homes, state hospitals, and  and mental retardation centers.

The Protective Services regulations provide protection from retaliation and immunity from liability for any person making a report, providing the person is acting in good faith.  Anonymous reports are also accepted.  The Agency will make all reasonable efforts to keep the reporters identity confidential.
Act 13 Of 1997

Act 13 requires an employee or an administrator of a facility who has reasonable cause to believe that a recipient is a victim of abuse to immediately report abuse. 

Abuse is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following acts:

*The infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish,

*The willful deprivation by a caretaker of goods or services that are necessary to maintain physical or mental health,

*Sexual harassment, or

*Sexual abuse.
Act 28 of 1997

Act 28 protects individuals, 18 years of age and older who, due to physical or cognitive disability or impairment, require assistance to meet their needs for food, shelter, clothing, personal care, or health care.  These individuals reside in either a nursing home, domiciliary care home, or community residential facility.  They may receive home health services in their residence; or may receive services from another person who has an obligation to care for the person for monetary consideration in either the care dependent person's home or in one of the previously described facilities.  They may also receive services from an adult daily living center.


Older Pennsylvanians Deserve Honor and Respect . . . Not Abuse.


Help stop elder abuse by calling the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County at 814-443-2681 or 800-452-0825 Monday through Friday between normal operating hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. After hours call ACCESSLINE at 800-452-0218.

YOU may be his or her only lifeline!