Our aging population is getting abused — sometimes by the ones they love
August 4, 2008 - 11:26AM
By JILL MOON
ALTON - Elder abuse - the dirty, little secret of domestic violence - often is a spectrum of abuse at its end and increasing with an aging population. Millions of baby boomers are aging in the United States, and perpetuating a growing need for services often administered by individuals other than family members. Thirty-one percent of senior citizens live alone in isolation and oftentimes with depression, which makes these individuals susceptible to abuse because of need for caring, interpersonal relationships.
"We see way more than relatives," said Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, at Senior Services Plus' elder abuse seminar held for the public, employees of Senior Services Plus homemaker program and Illinois caregivers. "Sometimes it's a home healthcare worker, a beautician, someone with power of attorney or a social worker. People who trust someone with whom they have a long relationship sometimes are preyed upon."
Crowder is chairperson for the Third Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council and president of the Illinois Judges Association Foundation. Seminar speakers talked about unintentional and direct harm. Elder abuse refers to any negligent act by a caregiver or any other person who causes harm or serious risks of harm to a vulnerable adult.
Violation of an order of protection can include fines and a maximum of one year in jail.
From July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, there were 254 reports of elder abuse in Madison County, 233 reports of elder abuse in St. Clair County and 9,489 statewide reports.
Call (800) 252-8966 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation or during after hours, weekends and holidays, call (800) 279-0400 . Reports will be taken in complete confidence. Other agencies with helpful programs are Community Counseling Center at (618) 462-2331 and Oasis Women's Center at (618) 465-1978
Abridged
SOURCE: Alton Telegraph
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