Preventing and Responding to Elder Abuse: 
Resources List 

Link to View Previously Recorded Town Halls 
https://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/office-of-elder-justice-in-
the-courts 
 
Elder Abuse Reporting & Investigation 
 
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities: Regulates financial services and works to ensure 
consumers and businesses are well-informed about the marketplace. 

  CONSUMERS:  For questions or concerns regarding financial transactions, contact the Consumer 

Services Office at 1-800-PA-BANKS or go to www.dobs.pa.gov 

  PROFESSIONALS:  For training on how to identify potential abuse or financial exploitation and 
how to help an older client, email informed@pa.gov for a free Senior$afe presentation.  

ennsylvania Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services (APS): Responsible for 

oversight and implementation of the Adult Protective Services Act (Act 70) for individuals ages 18-59 
living with disabilities.  The passage of the APS law ensured protections for every age group in PA. APS 
can be reached by calling 1-800-490-8505. https://www.dhs.pa.gov  

ennsylvania Elder Abuse Hotline: A 24 hour hotline where 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. Hotline number – 1-800-490-8505. 

ennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG): Enforces the law and defends the interests of the 

Commonwealth and its diverse citizens by: 

  Ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Pennsylvanians; 
  Advocating for fair and equitable treatment of all consumers; 
  Providing leadership in preventing and controlling crime committed against Pennsylvanians; 
  Pursuing just punishment without fear or favor for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and 
  Protecting Older Pennsylvanians with its Senior Protection Unit and Medicaid Fraud Control 

Section/Neglect & Abuse Team. 

The OAG’s Senior Assistance Helpline can be reached by calling 1-866-623-2137 (toll-free) between the 
hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
 https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/seniors/ 

 

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Support Services 

dministration for Community Living (ACL): Maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of 
older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers by promoting the ability to make 
daily choices most adults make without a second thought.  https://acl.gov/  

enter for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE): CARIE LINE is a free telephone 

and online one-on-one service that assists older adults and their caregivers with identifying and 
accessing needed services and supports, including those involved with guardianships.  CARIE LINE 
advocates offer options counseling, information, advocacy and education to help elders and caregivers 
identify and access resources on any issue an elder may be facing. The CARIE LINE is operational Monday 
through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and can be reached by calling 1-800-356-3606. 
https://www.carie.org/ 

ennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Helps crime victims transcend their trauma by 
funding victim service agencies that work directly with victims, provides financial help to victims through 
the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP), and collaborates with criminal justice and allied 
professionals that advocate and respond to the needs of victims. The ACL can be reached by calling 202-
401-4634. https://www.pccd.pa.gov/Victim-Services/Pages/default.aspx   

ennsylvania Department of Aging, Older Adult Protective Services: Provides access to services 
necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of older adults who lack the capacity to protect 
themselves and who are at imminent risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. Adult 
Protective Services can be reached by calling 1-800-490-8505.  https://www.aging.pa.gov  

ennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate (OVA): Provides victims of crime with notifications, support, 
and advocacy services through community based victim service programs and county district attorney 
offices. OVA can be reached by calling 1-800-563-6399. https://www.ova.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx  

 

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Legal Services 

ommunity Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS): Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income 
Philadelphia residents. CLS provides a full range of legal services, from individual representation to 
administrative advocacy to class action litigation, as well as community education and social work. CLS 
can be reached by calling 215-981-3700 or 215-227-2400. https://clsphila.org/  

eighborhood Legal Services (NLS): Provides free legal services for those who are low-income and 

vulnerable in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence Counties. NLS can be reached by calling 412-255-
6700.  https://www.nlsa.us/  

ennsylvania Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS): Refers callers to lawyers in counties that 

do not have a referral service of their own. This service covers 45 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. 
There is no charge for contacting LRS. By using this service, the participating attorney agrees to grant 
referral service clients an initial consultation of up to one half-hour for a fee of $30. LRS operates 
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached by calling 800-692-7375 (for in-Pa. 
callers only) or 717-238-6807. https://www.pabar.org/site/For-the-Public/Find-a-Lawyer      

ennsylvania Bar Association’s Pro Bono Legal Assistance Program: Provides free legal services 

assistance. To request assistance, call the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Lawyers Pro Bono Hotline at 
800-932-0311. https://www.pabar.org/site/Probono-Services  

ennsylvania’s Legal Aid Network (PLAN): Provides civil legal assistance to qualified low-income 
individuals and families.  PLAN is comprised of nine regional legal aid programs that provide legal 
assistance to eligible clients in every county, and six specialized legal aid programs that provide legal 
services in specialized areas of the law or to special groups of eligible clients. Requests for services can 
be made to (800) 322-7572 or 717.236.9486.  https://palegalaid.net/explore-your-issue-palawhelporg 

eniorLAW Center: A free and confidential telephone service staffed by attorneys that provides legal 
information, advice and referrals to senior citizens (60 years and older) throughout the state, including 
on guardianship matters. The statewide number is 1-877-PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529) or 215-988-1242. 
https://seniorlawcenter.org  
https://seniorlawcenter.org/projects/victim-services/ 

 

 

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Educational Resources 

ARP: Empowers people to choose how they live as they age. Services include providing health and 
financial tools, volunteering opportunities, travel and restaurant discounts, advocacy, and much more. 
The AAPR can be contacted by calling 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). https://www.aarp.org/  

onsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Helps consumer finance markets work by making rules 
more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take 
more control over their economic lives. Free educational materials on money management (Money 
Smart for Older Adults and more), managing someone else’s money, and other financial topics are 
available to download. The CFPB can be reached by calling 855-411-2372.    
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/  

ational Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA):  Is a national non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization 

with members in all fifty states.  Formed in 1989, the goal of NAPSA is to provide Adult Protective 
Services (APS) programs a forum for sharing information, solving problems, and improving the quality of 
services for victims of elder and vulnerable adult mistreatment. NAPSA can be reached by calling 202-
370-6292. https://www.napsa-now.org  

ational Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): Provides the latest information regarding research, training, 
best practices, news and resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation to professionals and the 
public. The NCEA can be reached by calling 1-855-500-3537. https://ncea.acl.gov  

ational Institute on Aging (NIA): Leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and 
to extend the healthy, active years of life. NIA is the primary Federal agency supporting and conducting 
Alzheimer's disease research. The NIA can be reached by calling 1-800-222-2225.   
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse  

ational Institute of Justice (NIJ): Is the research, development and evaluation agency of the U.S. 
Department of Justice. It is dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of crime and justice 
issues through science. NIJ provides objective and independent knowledge and tools to inform the 
decision-making of the criminal and juvenile justice communities to reduce crime and advance justice, 
particularly at the state and local levels. The NIJ can be reached by calling 202-307-2942. 
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/financial-exploitation-elderly   

ffice of Elder Justice in the Courts (OEJC): Educates judges, court staff, attorneys, guardians, the 
public, and others about the warning signs of elder abuse, and how to respond to suspected elder 
abuse. The OEJC also promotes best practices that address elder abuse and neglect, as well as 
guardianship and access to justice in the Commonwealth’s courts. In addition to education and best 
practices, the OEJC actively fosters collaboration with other elder justice entities and branches of 
government to enhance elder Pennsylvanians’ ability to fully participate in legal proceedings. The OEJC 
can be reached by calling 717-231-3300. http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-
programs/office-of-elder-justice-in-the-courts  

ennsylvania Coalition on Domestic Violence (PCADV): Is a statewide collaborative membership 

organization committed to ending intimate partner violence and all forms of violence against women. 
National helpline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).  https://www.pcadv.org/  

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Protection from Abuse (PFA) 

Protection orders are rules for the person hurting or threatening the victim. Filing a protection order, 
also known as a protection from abuse order or PFA, with PA Courts can help protect the victim and the 
victim’s family. If the abuser breaks these rules the person can be punished and the police can make an 
arrest. 

n Pennsylvania, filing the paperwork for a protection order is done at the local courthouse or through 
the magisterial district judge outside of regular court hours -- at no charge. Courthouse staff can also 
help with interpreter services for those people who have trouble speaking, hearing or understanding 
English. Additional information on PFAs and downloadable forms can be found at 
https://www.pacourts.us/learn/protection-orders  

ontact information for Pennsylvania County Courts can be found at: 

https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/individual-county-courts  

ennsylvania Coalition on Domestic Violence (PCADV): Is a statewide collaborative membership 

organization committed to ending intimate partner violence and all forms of violence against women. 
National helpline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Information on how to obtain a PFA can be found at 
https://www.pcadv.org/about-abuse/intervention/how-to-get-a-restraining-order/.   

ennsylvania Domestic Violence Programs List: Provides contact information for organizations 
providing domestic violence services. https://www.pcadv.org/find-help/find-your-local-domestic-
violence-program/  

ennsylvania’s Legal Aid Network (PLAN): Provides civil legal assistance to qualified low-income 
individuals and families.  PLAN is comprised of nine regional legal aid programs that provide legal 
assistance to eligible clients in every county, and six specialized legal aid programs that provide legal 
services in specialized areas of the law or to special groups of eligible clients. Requests for services can 
be made to (800) 322-7572 or 717.236.9486.  https://palegalaid.net/explore-your-issue-palawhelporg 

eniorLAW Center: A free and confidential telephone service staffed by attorneys that provides legal 
information, advice and referrals to senior citizens (60 years and older) throughout the state, including 
on guardianship matters. The statewide number is 1-877-PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529) or 215-988-1242. 
https://seniorlawcenter.org  
https://seniorlawcenter.org/projects/victim-services/ 

 

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Law Enforcement 
 
Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association: Provides the contact information for the District Attorney 
in each county in the state. The association can be reached by calling 717-238-5416.  
https://www.pdaa.org/da-directory/  

ennsylvania Office of Attorney General: Enforces the law and defends the interests of the 

Commonwealth and its diverse citizens by: 

  Ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Pennsylvanians; 
  Advocating for fair and equitable treatment of all consumers; 
  Providing leadership in preventing and controlling crime committed against Pennsylvanians; 
  Pursuing just punishment without fear or favor for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and 
  Protecting Older Pennsylvanians with its Senior Protection Unit and Medicaid Fraud Control 

Section/Neglect & Abuse Team. 

The OAG’s Senior Assistance Helpline can be reached by calling 1-866-623-2137 (toll-free) between the 
hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/seniors/ 

he United States Department of Justice: Together with its federal, state, local and tribal partners, the 
Department of Justice is committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation 
through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness.  
https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice  

 

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