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Protective Services

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 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 responsible to investigate within 72 hours. 

If someone is at imminent risk, please contact your local law enforcement immediately.