Any person may report suspected elder abuse to local elder abuse intervention agencies or to the Illinois Department on Aging weekdays at 1-800-252-8966 or after business hours and on the weekends and holidays at 1-800-279-0400.
Northwestern Illinois Elder Abuse Provider Agencies
Elder
Abuse in the Community
Thousands of older persons suffer from abuse and neglect, as well as financial
exploitation, usually at the hands of caregivers and hidden from the eyes
of the community. Victims are very often helpless to protect themselves,
and only a small percentage of cases are ever reported.
In Illinois last year, more than 7,000 older adults experienced abuse.
Three-fourths of the victims of elder abuse in Illinois are women with
an average age of 79
Any person over 60 can be victim of elder abuse. Those most at risk are
physically or mentally impaired older adults dependent on another person
for care and assistance.
Elder abuse includes:
Physical abuse - rough handling, slapping, hitting.
Emotional abuse - insults, threats, calling names.
Sexual abuse - forced sexual intimacy.
Financial exploitation - forced signing over of property
or money (ex. Social Security checks, pension checks, bank accounts).
Neglect - withholding food, medical care, basic necessities
of life, social contact; forceful confinement or restraint.
Anyone who suspects that an older person is being abused can make a report.
Reports are confidential and you can remain anonymous.
Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
Abuse and neglect in nursing homes is very underreported. Nursing home residents are very often unable to call for help and may be fearful of retaliation.
Abuse means any physical injury, sexual abuse, or mental injury inflicted on a resident other than by accidental means in a long-term care facility.
Neglect means a failure in a long term care facility to provide adequate medical or personal care or maintenance, which failure results in physical or mental injury to a resident or in the deterioration of a resident's physical or mental condition.
Any person may call and report nursing home abuse or neglect. Others required to report are employees of long-term care facilities, physicians and law enforcement officers.
How to Report: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is the investigating agency for the "Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act." Call the Illinois Department of Public Health toll-free number (1-800-252-4343) 24 hour hotline to report abuse or neglect in a facility. A report to law enforcement may also be appropriate.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program also takes reports of abuse and neglect in both nursing homes and licensed assisted living facilities.
Contact the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
2576 Charles Street, Rockford, Illinois
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday -Friday
(815) 226- 4901 or 1- 800- 542- 8402 (nine county only)
niaaa@nwilaaa.org