The Older Adults Protective
Services Act protects Pennsylvanians 60 years of age and older against
physical, emotional, or financial abuse as well as exploitation, neglect, or
abandonment.
***Reporting of abuse is mandatory
for employees and administrators in care settings.
Reporting abuse is voluntary and anonymous for the general public, and the
law protects all reporters from retaliation and civil or criminal liability.
Abuse reports can be made on behalf of an older adult whether the person lives
in their home or in a care facility such as a nursing facility, personal care
home, hospital, etc. The reporters may remain anonymous and have legal
protection from retaliation, discrimination, and civil or criminal
prosecution.
Common signs and symptoms of
elder abuse may include:
- Isolation
- Weight loss
- Bruises or broken bones
- Increased confusion
- Unusual withdrawals from any account
- Signing over one’s home to another
Any
person who believes that an older adult is being abused, neglected, exploited,
or abandoned may file a confidential report at any time with any Area
Agency on Aging or by calling the statewide abuse hotline 1-800-490-8505.
Both can receive reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are required to investigate within 72 hours.
**If someone is at imminent risk,
contact your local law enforcement immediately
Hotlines and Helplines For Seniors
View protections of the elderly from
financial abuse and scams
