THIS STUDY IS PART OF A GENERAL STUDY OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED IN JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA. PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY IN THIS SERVICE AREA ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT, BY LEGAL INTERVENTION AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROVISION, THOSE ELDERLY WHOSE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CAPABILITIES ARE LIMITED ENOUGH TO ENDANGER THEM OR PERMIT THEM TO BECOME VICTIMS OF EXPLOITATION BY RELATIVES OR OTHERS. SOCIAL SERVICES LIST ABUSE BY FAMILY, SPOUSES, AND NURSING HOMES AS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS. AGENCIES REPORTING EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DEFINE OR SUBSTANTIATE IN MANY CASES. HOWEVER, THE ELDERLY OFTEN REFUSE PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR FEAR OF LOSING THEIR INDEPENDENCE. PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN JOHNSON COUNTY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: ADVOCACY FOR THEIR PROTECTION; HELP IN SHOPPING, VISITING, AND SENIOR CITIZENS' ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL ON AGING; LEGAL AID AND COUNSELING IN CIVIL MATTERS FOR THE ELDERLY POOR BY TWO AGENCIES; AND MONITORING HEALTH CARE SERVICES. NURSING HOMES IN JOHNSON COUNTY ARE REVIEWED AND INSPECTED BY THREE AGENCIES WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES ARE DESCRIBED. AGENCIES CONCLUDE THAT EXPLOITATION OF THE ELDERLY BY FAMILIES IS A GREAT PROBLEM BUT DIFFICULT TO COMBAT DUE TO LEGAL RESTRICTIONS, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN NURSING HOMES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY SENSITIVE TO THE ELDERLY. POLICE CONSIDER THE ELDERLY PRIME TARGETS OF CRIME. MOREOVER, THE ELDERLY MAY OFTEN NOT BE AWARE OF THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS AND LACK ADEQUATE LEGAL REMEDIES. IN 1970, 7 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IN JOHNSON COUNTY WAS OVER 65, AND 22 PERCENT OF THE ELDERLY LIVED BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED FOR JOHNSON COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PROTECTION FOR THE ELDERLY. TABLES AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)