 “Every single person – no matter their age, gender,
citizenship, sex, ability, race, or religion – deserves to feel safe
and secure,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day, I call on all our residents to learn about the
warning signs of elder abuse so they can do their part to keep our
communities safe. Illinois is committed to ensuring our older
residents are treated with the respect they deserve.”
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed annually on June 15,
serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations and
communities to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect and
exploitation of older adults. Every year, an estimated one in 10
older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation.
And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that elder
abuse is significantly underreported, in part because many
communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for
those who experience abuse to report it. Research suggests that as
few as one in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of
authorities.
Illinois’ Adult Protective Services (APS) program aims to prevent
and resolves instances of abuse against older adults and persons
with disabilities aged 18-59. The program is coordinated through 39
local provider agencies, whose trained caseworkers investigate
allegations of abuse and connect victims with appropriate resources.
During fiscal year 2021, the most recent reporting period for which
data is available, the APS program received a total of 20,567
reports of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation.
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column] |
 IDoA, regional Area Agencies
on Aging and local provider agencies have worked uninterrupted
throughout the pandemic to investigate all reported allegations of
abuse.
For information on the warning signs
of adult abuse, visit
https://www2.illinois.
gov/aging/Engage/Pages/default.aspx. To report suspected
abuse, exploitation or neglect of an older adult or person with a
disability, call the statewide, 24-hour APS hotline at
1-866-800-1409.
“We are committed to creating an Illinois where older adults and
persons with disabilities can thrive and live free from abuse in
their communities,” said IDoA Director Paula Basta. “The Department
on Aging and our partners continue to make meaningful strides to
strengthen protections for vulnerable adults and encourage everyone
to learn to recognize and report any signs of mistreatment.”
IDoA serves and advocates for older Illinoisans and their caregivers
by administering quality and culturally appropriate programs that
promote partnerships and encourage independence, dignity, and
quality of life. For information about the Department’s programs and
services for older adults and persons with disabilities, visit
https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/programs or contact the Senior
HelpLine toll-free at 1-800-252-8966, Monday through Friday between
8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |
