William W. Lee, Ed.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

ELDER ABUSE

According to the Illinois Department on Aging most elder abuse is a family problem. Three out of four abusers are a spouse, child or other relative. About 75 percent of the alleged victims are women and the average age is 78. Financial exploitation is the most common form of abuse of our senior citizens, accounting for half of the calls to the Illinois Department of Aging with about one-third involving neglect and one-fourth involving physical abuse making up the remainder of calls.

Dementia and memory loss increase an older person's vulnerability to being victimized. Abuse can start for reasons such as the abuser may not be able to afford to live on his own, has a drug or alcohol problem, or suffers from mental illness. Care giver stress and emotional problems can also contribute to the abuse.

Often an elderly person suffers in silence, because they don't think anything can be done. They often put up with emotional abuse, such as verbal assaults, threats or insults because they fear retaliation by the abuser. An older person is likely not to report emotional abuse, because he or she is ashamed of the situation, or is worried about being put in a nursing home.

Benign neglect and emotional abuse is also more pervasive than physical violence. Caregivers are so overburdened that abuse begins subtly, like forgetting to take the older person to medical appointments, isolating the older person and not giving them their medications.

The Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act became law in 1988 and responds to reports of alleged elder abuse, neglect and exploitation through call made to the IDOA hotline (800) 252-8966. Since 1999, professionals are mandated to report suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services. The Department on Aging contracts with 45 senior centers and social service agencies that conduct investigations and work to end abusive situations. Social workers visit the home, assess the situation and develop a plan for services that help stop the abuse.

Symptoms of an abused older person include:

Symptoms of an abuser include:

Suspected abuse of an older person should be reported to the Illinois Department of Aging Hotline, (800) 252-8966