State kicks off campaign to protect seniors from abuse

Illinois Dept. on Aging's Elder Abuse Awareness campaign coincides with extending protective services to some people with disabilities

[July 06, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department on Aging Director John K. Holton, Ph.D., kicked off Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Illinois. Elder abuse refers to a negligent act -- physical, sexual, emotional, confinement, passive neglect, willful deprivation or financial exploitation -- by a caregiver or another person known by the victim that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult 60 years of age or older.

Each year in July the state observes a monthlong campaign to educate and raise awareness about elder abuse. Gov. Pat Quinn issued a proclamation for Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. A copy of the proclamation is linked here (PDF).

"This year marks the ninth year of the statewide campaign, and since starting the annual campaign, we have documented an increase in the number of calls to report suspected abuse," Holton said. "There are more than 2 million older adults, ages 60 and older, in Illinois. And it is estimated about 5 percent, or 100,000, older adults fall victim to elder abuse each year, but most incidents go unreported. If you suspect abuse, report it."

The Department on Aging operates a 24-hour hotline for reporting the abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an eligible adult. The number for the 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline is 866-800-1409 or TTY 888-206-1327. Trained professionals on the hotline take reports of abuse and promptly forward them to local protective service agencies or law enforcement. There are resources to help victims, and all calls and information related to suspected abuse are confidential. Look for specific indicators that may help point to abuse:

• Untreated injuries, bruises, burns, sprains or dislocations, scratches and cuts

• Sudden changes in behavior, unusual depression or withdrawal in social settings

• Tense relationships or frequent arguments with the caregiver, or a caregiver's refusal to allow visitors

• Dehydration, unusual weight loss, poor hygiene, untreated health problems, unsafe living conditions.

• Sudden financial changes: bank account practices, additional names on victim's bank signature card, unauthorized withdrawal of victim's funds using victim's ATM or credit card, and abrupt changes of a will or other financial documents

Since the start of the Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month campaign, which stresses the importance of reporting suspected elder abuse, numbers of reported cases in Illinois have increased. In fiscal 2005, the year prior to starting the campaign, only 8,584 reports of elder abuse were received. In fiscal 2012, 11,840 reports were received.

This month's awareness campaign coincides with the Department on Aging extending its adult protective services to people ages 18-59 who have disabilities and live in a domestic setting. As of July 1, adult protective services, including responsibilities of the Adults with Disabilities Domestic Abuse Program, formerly of the Department of Human Services, are handled by the Department on Aging.

For general information about programs to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, call the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966; for hearing-impaired use only, call TTY 1-888-206-1327; or visit www.state.il.us/aging/.

[Text from Illinois Department on Aging file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]