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Audit finds weaknesses in Pennsylvania oversight of elder abuse investigations

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A state audit has identified weaknesses in the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s oversight of elder abuse investigations, including concerns about investigation timelines, staff training, and the system used to monitor local Area Agencies on Aging.

Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor released the performance audit Wednesday. It examined the department’s oversight of investigations conducted by Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging from Jan. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

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The audit produced 10 findings and 39 recommendations for the Department of Aging, along with three recommendations for the General Assembly to strengthen the Older Adults Protective Services Act.

Among the findings, auditors said the department’s monitoring process does not adequately identify situations in which older adults remain at risk of harm or mistreatment. The report also cited weaknesses involving follow-up procedures, death reviews, caseload monitoring, reassessments, record retention, and training of protective-services employees.

Auditors also questioned the department’s treatment of a 20-day timeframe for completing investigations as a goal rather than a requirement and said the absence of a time limit for financial exploitation investigations could increase risks to older adults.

The audit focused heavily on the Comprehensive Aging Performance Evaluation, or CAPE, the monitoring system piloted in 2024 and fully implemented in 2025 to replace an earlier system.

The Department of Aging disputed the audit’s conclusions, saying the review occurred while CAPE was still being implemented and therefore did not accurately reflect the system’s effectiveness. The department says CAPE replaced an inadequate pass/fail system and provides more detailed information to help local agencies correct deficiencies.

The department reported earlier this month that CAPE has prompted changes in Adams County, where the Adams County Office for Aging upgraded its management structure and hired three employees to strengthen supervision of protective services and care management.

DeFoor also accused the department of delaying the completion of the audit by about six months by delaying the provision of documents, the identification of responsible employees, and the arrangement of interviews. The department has challenged the timing and accuracy of the audit but has implemented some recommendations made during the review.

The complete audit and supporting materials are available through the Pennsylvania Auditor General’s office.

Source: pa.gov

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