BY KATIE ANDERSON
Jacksonville Journal-Courier
July 6, 2009
It is estimated as many as 80,000 older adults in Illinois fall victim to elder abuse in the form of neglect, sexual, physical or mental abuse or financial exploitation each year.
“Each day in Illinois, someone is the victim of elder abuse but most do not receive help because the cases often go unreported,” said Charles D. Johnson, director of the Department on Aging.
To help raise awareness of the abuse that happens to those over 60 years old, the Illinois Department on Aging has launched the first Elder Abuse Awareness month in coordination with its fifth annual “Break the Silence” campaign.
Although more than 11,000 reports of elder abuse were made between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 according to the Department on Aging, the agency suspects dramatically more older Illinoisans are being abused.
“Our seniors deserve to feel safe and to be treated with respect,” Johnson said. “We want people to know there’s help available. If you are a victim, know or suspect someone who is being victimized, pick up the phone to get them some help.”
In 2007, there were 61 cases of elderly abuse received from Morgan, Cass and Scott counties according to the Area Agency on Aging for the Lincolnland area.
The most common substantiated cases were financial exploitation and emotional abuse. There were no claims substantiated of sexual abuse or willful deprivation — willfully denying assistance to an older adult thereby exposing the person to risk of harm.
Verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment or intimidation can all be reported as emotional abuse. The misuse or withholding of an elder’s resources to their disadvantage or the profit of another person can be considered financial exploitation.
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