Elder Law

Department of Aging Urges Citizens to Report Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults

By Levin & Perconti

Citizens are urged to immediately report the suspected abuse or neglect of an older adult by calling their state?s Elder Abuse Hotline. Also older individuals who are being abused or neglected are also urged to call the hotline. Older adults should have the right to live a life free from abuse and neglect. People should check on relatives and be educated about the warning signs of abuse and notify authorities when they suspect that someone is being harmed. Reports to elder abuse hotlines can be made confidentially. Elder abuse can range from physical actions, such as hitting or punching to verbal or emotional attacks. People should look for warnings signs such as bruises on the body, weight loss or the unexplained disappearance of money or personal property. Sexual abuse can be difficult to find, but can involve improper touching or even rape. One of the greatest problems with elder abuse is that it goes undetected, so please contact your Department of Aging if you suspect elder abuse. To read more about signs of elder neglect and abuse, please click the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on September 12, 2009 (boomark / email).