The Elder Abuse Outreach Program represents a cooperative agreement between the Broome County Office for Aging and the Broome County Department of Social Services. Through this program, Office for Aging staff provides assistance to seniors who are “at-risk” of abuse, neglect and/or financial exploitation and links them with appropriate services. When Office for Aging staff gets involved, the senior's risk of further abuse, neglect, and exploitation is reduced, and the number of cases needing referral to Adult Protective Services decreases.

Also, Office for Aging staff identifies elders whose risk of abuse, neglect and/or financial exploitation are beyond the capabilities of the agency. When this is the case, staff refers cases to Protective Services for Adults for consultation, review and/or investigation.

The program identifies elders:

• who have an illness, disability and/or mental impairment that decreases their capacity for self-care and self-determination;
• who are unable to meet their essential needs for food, clothing, shelter or medical care;
• who are unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation;
• who have no one who is willing and able to assist them in a responsible manner.

For more information, call the Information and Assistance Line at 607.778.2411 or Protective Services for Adults at 607.778.2635. (after 5 pm, please leave a message.)

Neither phone number is for emergencies; if you have an emergency, please call 911.