IL governor launches “Break the Silence” elder abuse prevention campaign

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today launched the fourth annualstatewide “Break the Silence” campaign and proclaimed July as ElderAbuse Awareness Month in Illinois.  The Governor and the IllinoisDepartment on Aging (IDoA) are encouraging those who are victims orsuspect abuse to call the state’s 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at (866)800-1409, where trained professionals are on call prepared to assist.More than 10,000 reports of elder abuse were made during FY 08, whichreflects a 16 percent increase in reporting since the campaign wasinitiated.

“Our seniors have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, andto feel safe and secure.  Unfortunately, many seniors find themselvesvictims of abuse and neglect which is unacceptable,” said Gov.Blagojevich.  “The sooner we know about a case of abuse, the sooner wecan put a stop to it.  But in order to keep up the fight against abuseand neglect, we need everyone to do their part.  If you suspect a caseof elder abuse report it.  Elder Abuse prevention will help keepthousands of seniors safe each year.”

It is estimated as many as 80,000 older adults in Illinois are elderabuse victims.  Elder abuse is defined as neglect, physical injury,mental, sexual, or financial exploitation to an adult 60 years of ageor older.  If you suspect someone is being abused, the followingindicators may point to a problem:

· Untreated injuries, sprains or dislocations, scratches and cuts
· Sudden changes in behavior and/or withdrawal in social settings
· A caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors
· Dehydration, malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, untreated health problems, hazardous or unsafe living conditions; and
· Suddenchanges in bank account or banking practices, the inclusion ofadditional names on a victim’s bank signature card, unauthorizedwithdrawal of the victim’s funds using the victim’s ATM or credit cardand abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents.

“Elder abuse happens everyday and most often the cases gounreported,” said IDoA Director Charles D. Johnson.  “We’re working toraise awareness so victims know there is help.  I encourage anyone whois a victim of elder abuse or suspect abuse to call our 24-hour ElderAbuse Hotline so that we can help.  No one has to go it alone.”

Since the start of the “Break the Silence” campaign the number ofreports of elder abuse has continued to increase.  In FY 05, the yearprior to starting the campaign, 8,584 reports of elder abuse werereceived.  In FY 06, during the first campaign year, the number ofelder abuse reports increased to 9,191.  During the second year of thecampaign in FY 07, the number of reports increased to 9,535.

If you are a victim of elder abuse or suspect an elder is beingabused, call the Illinois Department on Aging’s 24-hour Elder AbuseHotline at (866) 800-1409 or TTY at (888) 206-1327.  Trainedprofessionals are on call and prepared to take reports of elder abuseand forward them promptly to local senior protective service agenciesor law enforcement.  All calls and information related to elder abuseare strictly confidential. 

Source:  Office of the Governor of Illinois Press Release, http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=6950