Who Needs Protective Services for Adults (PSA)?

Adults, 18 and older, may need protective services for variety of reasons:

• They have a physical or mental impairment; and
• They can no longer protect themselves from neglect, abuse or hazardous situations; or
• They cannot provide for their most basic needs for food, clothing, shelter or medical care; and
• They have no one willing and able to help them in a responsible manner.

Mission

PSA clients are among the most vulnerable living in the community - the frail elderly, the mentally ill, the mentally retarded and the abused and exploited. These are individuals often not known to any agency or who have refused services and are isolated from family and friends. Approximately two-thirds of PSA clients in Monroe County are over 60. Forty percent are over 75. Many have been the victims of elder abuse. Go to our PRIDE section to learn more about elder abuse.

PSA is designed to keep individuals in their own homes as long as possible rather than placing them in institutions. PSA caseworkers arrange for services, including legal services, to remedy the neglect or abuse or to stop financial exploitation. At the same time, because PSA clients are adults, their need for protection must be balanced against their right to determine how they will live their lives.

PSA Services

PSA can provide services to strengthen an adult’s ability to live in the community as long as possible.

Some of the services PSA can provide are:

• Investigation of abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Home visits by a PSA caseworker to assess individual needs
• Assistance obtaining medical care
• Counseling for the client and the family
• Financial management services
• Referral for legal services
• Help finding other living arrangements
• Homemaker or housekeeper/chore services
• Meals on Wheels
• Services to obtain an adult guardian
• Assistance in obtaining other benefits

PSA Services Contact information and Cost

PSA services are located at 691 St. Paul Street under the Department of Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services and can be reached at 753-6000, option #4. Services are free to all adults in need of them, regardless of income.

Rights of an Individual Referred for PSA

Adults have the right to make their own decisions. They may choose to accept or refuse the services PSA offers. In cases of extreme risk or diminished capacity to make decisions due to physical or mental disorders, PSA may intervene against the person’s will to protect the individual.

Making a Referral to PSA

In Monroe County, call PSA Intake at 585 753-6532 to make a referral during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.). In the evening, on weekends and on holidays, please call 585 461-5698.

Your name as a referral source will be held confidential. New York State law provides immunity from civil liability for anyone who makes a referral in good faith to PSA of a person who is at risk.

Examples of Typical Protective Service for Adults (PSA) Cases

Scenario I

Mrs. S’s neighbor called PSA because she saw people moving furniture out of Mrs. S’s house late at night. The neighbor became suspicious because she was close to Mrs. S who was 84 but Mrs. S had not told her anything about moving and recently, she had not seen Mrs. S in the neighborhood at all. PSA investigated and discovered that a home contractor had befriended Mrs. S and had become her Power of Attorney to manage her funds. He and his wife were planning to move her into a nursing home and sell her house. Although she had adequate assets, Mrs. S was malnourished and her bank account was almost empty. PSA worked with the District Attorney’s office to investigate the situation and filed a petition in Supreme Court to have a guardian named. The Power of Attorney was revoked; Mrs. S remains safely at home with nursing service, Meals on Wheels and regular visits from the PSA caseworker.

Scenario II

James is a 24 year-old man with a mild developmental disability. He lives on his own but has trouble making appointments for medical care and other services; he cannot manage his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check and is in danger of eviction for non-payment of rent. PSA arranged for representative payee services to insure that basic necessities get paid. James was also linked with a service coordinator in the Developmental Disability system to help him learn to manage his own affairs and possibly enroll in a sheltered workshop program.

Scenario III

Ms. G is a 65 year-old woman who has a history of depression and also has diabetes. She has always lived alone. Her home health care nurse called PSA because Ms. G stopped letting her in and she suspects Ms. G is not taking her insulin regularly. The condition of her home has deteriorated badly in the past few months. The nurse has reason to believe Ms. G is drinking heavily. Ms. G refused at first but eventually let the PSA caseworker in. She did have significant medical problems from not taking her insulin while also drinking. PSA arranged for her to be admitted to a hospital to stabilize her medical condition and to evaluate her depression. Ms. G was sent home with medication for her emotional problems. PSA arranged for periodic housekeeper service and for a geriatric substance abuse specialist to see her at home. The nursing service also became involved again.