About Ursuline Support Services

Ursuline Support Services, formally Ursuline Senior Services, has three main programsGuardianship, Protective & Supportive Services, Independence Support Services.

We provide an array of offerings to meet the pressing needs of adults, seniors and families suffering from abuse, neglect, or financial and emotional distress.

Ursuline Support Services is proud to announce OnYourBehalf, our newly expanded range of support services now available to all through a fee-for-service model.

Following the Ursuline tradition, OnYourBehalf offers a continuum of support services in order to advocate, guide and protect you and your loved ones. Were proud to be expanding our service offerings and providing support to all individuals who are experiencing lifes transitions.

Our continuum of services includes financial support services, family guardian support, powers of attorney and guardianship. OnYourBehalf provides clients with access to the best overall expertise in the region, and more importantly, the care that one would expect from ones own family.

guardianship

 In 1984, Ursuline Support Services established the Guardianship program through a contract with the Allegheny County Department of Aging. This program, now through the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of the County Department of Human Services, offers adult legal guardianship (conservatorship) services to persons who are more than 60 years old, primarily low income, and who are referred for guardianship by the AAA, the Orphans Court division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, or from family members, attorneys, nursing homes, the Veterans Administration, hospitals or other institutions. Who Needs a Guardian? The basic reason that a person needs a legal guardian is because he or she lacks the capacity to make effective decisions for his or her own health, safety, welfare and finances. When a person has no one willing to act on his or her behalf in the medical and financial arenas, or family members are in conflict with whom should assume responsibility, a legal guardianship (conservatorship) is recommended. Once a psychologist or psychiatrist has determined that an individual cannot act for him or herself, then Guardianship proceedings can be initiated by an attorney. If someone has signed a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) when she or he still had capacity, usually Guardianship is not needed. Public Guardianship Program The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) makes the referrals to the public guardianship program for individuals over the age of 60 years. These are people who have no responsible caregiver. The AAA monitors the work of the Guardianship program through monthly monitoring visits. Additionally, Ursuline Support Services, on behalf of Allegheny County, serves as the guardian for residents referred who reside in the four Kane Regional Centers. Non Public Guardianship Program Private referrals for guardianship come from attorneys, hospitals, long-term care facilities or family members of those in need. When individuals enter the program with substantial assets, they are billed for Guardianship Services at rate of $100.00 per hour. Types of Guardians Guardians of Person (GOPs) make medical, placement and end-of-life decisions. Guardians of Person are responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day needs of their wards are met, including safety and appropriate medical care.

• Guardians of Estate (GOEs) marshal all the assets and utilize all the income and assets for the care of each ward. Ursuline Support Services employs Guardians of Estate, in addition to our Real Estate Specialist who is responsible for taking care of or selling wards homes to utilize the funds for their care. Guardians of Estate control bank accounts, stocks, bonds, life insurance policies, real estate, personal possessions and automobiles as well as income from social security, pensions and trusts to use for the care of their wards. Guardians of Estate also create budgets and set up Irrevocable Burial Reserve accounts.

For more information on Guardianship (Conservatorship) Services contact us at 412-224-4700.

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

 Through the Area Agency on Aging, our Protective Service Investigators are trained in accordance with Pennsylvania State Law to provide crisis intervention for individuals 60 years of age and older who lack the physical and/or mental capacity to protect themselves from imminent risk such as physical or psychological abuse, caregiver neglect, financial exploitation, abandonment or self-neglect. If you or someone you know is in a situation that puts an individual at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment, please call the Area Agency on Aging at (412)350-6905. All calls are confidential. Client Entry Requirements

• At least 60 years old
• A Pennsylvania resident
• Have no responsible caregiver
• Unable to obtain or perform services necessary to maintain physical or mental health
• Present imminent risk to person or property

For more information about Protective Services please contact us at 412-224-4700, press 4.

INDEPENDENCE SUPPORT SERVICES

 Even individuals who are independent and can manage the majority of their daily activities on their own may need a helping hand. Ursuline offers Independence Support Services to help these individuals maintain their independence while getting the help that they need. Whether its through help with bill paying, grocery deliveries or a daily wellness call, Ursuline provides help for those who need it.

Ursuline Support Services is continually looking to expand its services to meet the ever changing needs of seniors through Service Coordination.

Supportive Living Enhancement Program (SLEP) 
The goal of the Service Coordination (SLEP) program is to enrich, educate and empower the residents we serve.
This is accomplished by our staff of coordinators that assist residents their needs.
Common needs include acquiring adaptive equipment, in home support along with health or financial benefits.

Since its inception, our social service agency has provided direct assistance to the most vulnerable populations in Allegheny County. This is done through a variety of human service programs that address issues such as:

• Neglect
• Elder Abuse
• Exploitation
• Financial Management
• Service Coordination
• Guardianship.

The addition of public housing service coordination was a natural extension of the services already provided by Ursuline to the elderly throughout our community.

Our Service Coordinators link individuals to community resources and advocate for them. Throughout Pittsburgh our Service Coordinators work directly with residents to arrange recreational activities, health supports and annual rent rebate applications.

Service coordinators also facilitate informational and educational presentations for the more than 1,000 residents in 11 different buildings. Ursulines consistent and weekly presence in buildings we service has helped to develop trusting, supportive relationships with residents and building management.