Protective Services

Ursuline Senior Services' Protective Services program identifies older adults who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. These abuses can take the form of self-neglect, caregiver neglect, abandonment, or physical, emotional, and financial distress. Our staff investigates all allegations of abuse, and through working with various resources, develops a plan to correct the situation. Ursuline Senior Services shares this responsibility in Allegheny County with Eastern Area Adult Services and Lutheran Services Society.

Through the Area Agency on Aging, our protective service workers are fully-trained under Pennsylvania State Law to provide crisis intervention for individuals 60 years of age and older who lack the physical and/or mental capacity to protect themselves from imminent risk such as physical or psychological abuse, caregiver neglect, financial exploitation, abandonment, or self neglect.

If you or someone you know is in a situation that puts the individual at risk, (physically, emotionally or financially) please call the Senior Line at (412) 350-5460.

All calls are confidential.

CLIENT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Prospective clients of Protective Services:

• Must be 60 years or older and a Pennsylvania resident.
• Have no responsible caregiver.
• Must be unable to obtain or perform services necessary to maintain physical or mental health.
• Present imminent risk to person or property.

Note: Deceased individuals, regardless of the precipitating circumstances, are no longer considered older adults in need of protective services. The reporter will be referred, if appropriate, to the coroner and/or the police.

For more information about Protective Services please contact: The Director of Protective Services at 412.683.0400 ext. 215 or at protectiveservices@ursulineseniors.org

Service referrals or inquiries can also be made through the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Line by calling (412)350-5460 or emailing SeniorLine@dhs.county.allegheny.pa.us