- oSupport and advocacy for older adults receiving long-term care, whether in a facility or receiving community-based services
- oState certified staff and volunteers from the Department of Aging respond to concerns of older adults and their loved ones
• Local Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
- oArea Agencies on Aging (pa.gov) will allow you to search for the appropriate AAA based on the county where the IP lives and provide you with their website, phone number, and address
- oAAA websites with information and resources for suspected elder abuse, in addition to a variety of other services
- oCall the AAA for the county where the IP resides, 24 hours a day including holidays, to report suspected abuse, and they will coordinate with Adult Protective Services to investigate
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
- oConsumer Services Office 1-800-PA-BANKS or www.dobs.pa.gov
- oFinancial exploitation questions and concerns
Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
- oOAG's Senior Assistance Helpline 1-866-623-2137 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/seniors/
- oThe office focuses on abuse and fraud perpetrated by businesses and other consumer protection issues
- oMake a complaint by phone or electronically on the website, and it will be reviewed by staff and referred to the appropriate agency or handled directly by the OAG
- oThe OAG also offers education for older adults on topics including fraud prevention, bullying, and identity theft. More information is available on the website
Types and Signs of Abuse
Physical Abuse
- Examples: hitting, striking, shaking, pinching, physical restraints, inappropriate use of drugs, force feeding, all physical punishment
- Signs: report of abuse by victim, bruises, broken bones, burns, internal injuries, bedsores, poor hygiene, pain
Sexual Abuse
- Examples: unwanted touching, forced nudity, unwanted participation in the creation or receipt of sexually explicit material, sodomy, sexual assault, rape