June 18th, 2024 – To recognize Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is reminding residents to recognize and report suspected cases of elder abuse.
Elder abuse involves any act causing physical, mental, or sexual injury to an older adult, including financial exploitation and abandonment. It also encompasses actions that harm an older adult’s health, well-being, or welfare. National studies indicate that one in ten adults aged 60 and older will experience some form of elder abuse annually, sometimes experiencing multiple types of abuse simultaneously. The effects can be severe, leading to physical and mental health issues, financial hardship, and loss of social connections.
“Elder abuse is a devastating and often hidden reality that affects thousands of older Illinoisans. But none of us are powerless in the fight against abuse. The first step toward prevention is to educate ourselves and others about what elder abuse is, where it happens, and how to recognize and report it.” said IDoA Acting Director Mary Killough.
Illinois’ Adult Protective Services (APS) program investigates abuse reports and assists survivors by connecting them to health and social services. In the past year, APS received over 17,000 elder abuse reports in Illinois and an additional 3,670 reports of abuse involving adults under 60 with disabilities.
Reports of abuse can be made to Illinois’ 24-hour APS hotline at 866-800-1409 or 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service. Reporters should provide the victim’s name, location, and details of the alleged abuse. Immediate, life-threatening situations should be reported to 911. Abuse in long-term care facilities can be reported to a long-term care ombudsman or the Illinois Department of Public Health’s nursing home hotline at 800-252-4343.
Warning signs of elder abuse include unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, unsanitary living conditions, and sudden changes in banking practices. A comprehensive list of warning signs is available from the U.S. Department of Justice.
To raise awareness, Gov. JB Pritzker declared June 15th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Illinois.
Story by: Isaiah Bradford
