Protective Services
The protective services department conducts investigations for abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment of older adults. In the event that a case is substantiated and the investigator determines the person is at imminent risk of danger to person or property, a care plan is presented to the older adult to reduce any risk to themselves or their property. Anyone may make a report to the Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging, and a reporter’s information always remains confidential. There is a protective services staff person on call and available after hours and on holidays. The Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging also receives reports of individuals’ age 18-59 that may be in need of protective services, forwarding them to our investigating agency, Liberty Health Corporation.
What is Elder Abuse? Abuse is defined as an occurrence of one or more of the following acts:
- An infliction of injury, confinement, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish
- Deliberate neglect and withholding of goods or services which are necessary to maintain physical or mental health
- Sexual harassment, assault, or rape
- Coercion or threats of force
- Exploitation of an older adult’s resources which may result in monetary or personal loss