How is Pennsylvania Trying to Fight Elder Abuse?

Pennsylvania is making the protection of the elderly a greater priority.

Seniors are treasures.

They have wisdom, knowledge, and experience.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous people take advantage of the elderly.

This is wrong and should be stopped.

Pennsylvania is attempting to do so.

How?

According to a recent US News article titled “Pennsylvania Pushes Counties to Improve Elder-Abuse Casework,” the Keystone State government is stepping up evaluation and accountability.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging grades 52 county-level agencies on how well they comply with elder abuse investigation standards.

They are graded green for good, yellow for repeated problems, and red for putting people at risk.

Unfortunately, the results have not been favorable as of late.

The Department of Aging found these agencies to have a poor history of investigating complaints in a timely manner, investigating poorly, and not logging casework.

Yikes!

These complaints include self-neglect, financial exploitation, and physical abuse.

Not investigating properly could leave many in danger.

Many of the offending counties have been given four months to improve their procedures and protections for citizens age 60 or older.

What happens if they fail to do so?

The agency could be taken over by the state government and replaced with a different agency.

In 2016 and 2017, Pennsylvania had 29,000 calls about potential elder abuse.

The numbers are expected to continue to rise as the population ages.

Some counties have argued they are taking investigations seriously.

They shift the blame to poor training and staffing by protective services.

The new protocol will grade counties: green for good; yellow for significant or repetitive problems; and red for significant or repetitive problems that put someone at risk.

Kudos to Pennsylvania.

Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When making your financial, tax and estate plans, do not go it alone. Be sure to engage competent professional counsel.

For more information about estate planning in Overland Park, KS (and throughout the rest of Kansas and Missouri), visit our estate planning website and be sure to subscribe to our complimentary estate planning e-newsletter while you are there.

Reference: US News (December 16, 2017) “Pennsylvania Pushes Counties to Improve Elder-Abuse Casework”