Protective Service Definitions

Abuse: The infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain or mental anguish.  The willful deprivation, by a caregiver, of goods or services which are necessary to maintain physical or mental health.  Sexual harassment, rape, or abuse as defined in the Protection from Abuse Act.  For additional information Visit the Pennsylvania code for the Protection of Services for the Elderly at http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/006/chapter15/chap15toc.html

Neglect: The failure to provide for oneself or the failure of a caregiver to provide goods and or services essential to avoid a clear and serious threat an individual or institution that has assumed the responsibility for the provision of care needed to maintain the physical or mental health of an older adult.  This responsibility may arise voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for care, as a result of family relationship or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.  It is not the intent of the act to impose responsibility on an individual if the responsibility would not otherwise exist in law.  An older adult who does not consent to the provision of protective services will not be found to be neglected solely on the grounds of environmental factors which are beyond the control of the older adult or the caretaker, such as inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing or medical care.

Financial Exploitation: An act of course of conduct by a caretaker or other person against an older adult or an older adult’s resources, without the informed consent of the older adult or with consent obtained through misrepresentation, coercion or threats of force, that results in monetary, personal or other benefit, gain or profit for the perpetrator or monetary or personal loss to the older adult. 

Investigation: Comprehensive assessment and collaboration of evidence performed by specialized care managers to determine if the older adult has been a victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

For additional information visits www.aging.state.pa.us

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