Mahoning County Sheriff Senior Services Unit
Contact person:
Bob Schaeffer - Office: 330-480-5078 Cell: 330-720-6545
E-mail: bschaeffer@mahoningcountyoh.gov
The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Senior Citizens Unit was established in 2007 to improve service and to reduce victimization of Mahoning County’s senior population.
Members of the Senior Services Unit are responsible for the initial reporting of suspicious incidents involving seniors. This allows professionals to determine if there is a reason to suspect whether abuse, neglect (including self-neglect) or exploitation is occurring. Criminal cases are then forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
The Senior Services Unit works in cooperation with seniors and their families to help find the appropriate assistance or intervention. It also provides a wide range of specialized training on aging issues for public safety officers who may work with the elderly. The unit conducts assessments of seniors who have been victimized or are vulnerable to future victimization and refers them to the numerous services available throughout the community. This referral system has been successful in preventing future abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elderly.
A response team is available 24 hours a day to provide intervention or assistance in critical incidents involving the elderly.
The Mahoning County Senior Services Unit is a partnership of the Sheriff, and senior citizens.
https://www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/941/Senior-Services#:~:text=The%20Mahoning%20County%20Sheriff's%20Office,of%20suspicious%20incidents%20involving%20seniors.
Adult Protective Services
Adults are sometimes in danger of harm, unable to protect themselves, and have no one else to assist them. We reduce or remedy conditions causing endangerment to adults, maximizing the adult's independence and self-direction, and preventing unnecessary institutionalization. All reported cases of abuse of adults over the age of 60 are confidential. They are investigated and reviewed. Adults are offered support for protection and self-sufficiency, such as homemaker and case management services when funding is available.
Identifying & Reporting Abuse
Types of abuse include:
Physical - pushing, hitting, or other physical harm
Sexual - rape or other unwanted sexual contact, or forced or coerced nudity
Emotional - psychological hurt, humiliation, intimidation or threats
Exploitation - unlawful or improper act of a caretaker using an adult or their resources for monetary or personal gain
To report adult abuse or neglect, call 330-884-6952 / 330-884-6931.
After 4 p.m. and on weekends, please call the Help Hotline at 330-747-2696.
http://www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/476/Adult-Protective-Services