State of Maine Office of Elder Services

Adult Protective Services

Investigates allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults age 18 and older. Provides protective services, petitions Probate Court to become public guardian or conservator for incapacitated individuals who cannot direct their own affairs. Manages assets of public wards and develops specialized housing and other services. Coordinates Department of Human Services activities under the AMHI Consent Decree. Trains other health care, social service and law enforcement agencies. Programs serves 3,600 people annually, including 603 in public guardianship. Adult Services staff adhere to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers

Home and Community Based Care:

Manages programs involving home health and other supportive services to 4,100 elderly and disabled adults in order to avoid or delay nursing home placement. Programs include: Home Based Care; Congregate Housing Services; Alzheimer's Respite; Adult Day Care; Medicaid Waivers for Elderly, Adults with Disabilities and Physically Disabled Adults; Homemaker Services and the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program. Manages statewide pre- admissions assessment of all nursing facility applicants through a contract with Goold Health Systems. Community Options Unit helps consumers and their families' problems.

Resource Development:

Responsible for developing publicly assisted residential care facilities, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. Administers funds for adult day services and contracts for affordable congregate housing services programs. Conducts mandated reviews under the Maine Certificate of Need Act for nursing facility projects, such as acquisitions, construction and renovation. Issues "requests for proposals" for the development of facilities for special populations, such as persons with Alzheimer's disease, acquired brain injury, or seriously mentally ill public wards, as funds become available for expanding programs. Regulates/licenses assisted living programs, residential care facilities, adult family care homes, and adult day care programs [residential care facilities that are part of a licensed nursing facility are regulated by the Bureau of Medical Services, Division of Licensing and Certification].

Community Services:

Supported primarily with federal Older Americans Act funds, provides home delivered meals, outreach, information and assistance, public transit, employment, volunteer, public education and legal services to 42,000 people annually through the five Area Agencies on Aging and Legal Services for the Elderly, Inc. Also includes federal demonstration grants for Alzheimer's services and health insurance counseling.

Disability Determination Services:

100% federally funded, the DDS staff of 60 employees and 13 contract physicians and psychologists make 22,000 new decisions for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims affecting 17,000 people annually.