Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation

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Elder Abuse, Neglect andFinancial Exploitation

• Illinois Department on Aging

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Aging Network
State Units on Aging Area Agencies on Aging Aging
Provider Agencies
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Department on Aging Elder Abuse
ProgramAdministrative Overview

• Social Services Program
• Administered by the Department on Aging through
  Area Agencies on Aging
• 45 local provider agencies
• Statewide since 1991
• Serves anyone 60 and overdo not have to be
  disabled

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Elder Abuse ProgramPurpose

• Work with and on behalf of older persons to
  investigate reports of alleged abuse, to
  intervene to prevent further mistreatment, and to
  allow the older person to remain independent to
  the maximum degree possible.

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Elder AbuseTypes of Abuse

• Abuse
• - Physical (23) - Emotional (45)
• - Sexual (4) - Confinement (8)
• Neglect
• -Passive (35) - Willful (10)
• Financial Exploitation (51)
• Note Abuse can be criminal or not

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Elder Abuse Program Victims and Abusers

• Typical victim 79 year old woman with multiple
  impairments
• Typical abuser adult son with substance abuse
  and financial problems
• Victims 75 women / 25 men
• Abusers 54 male and 46 female

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Elder AbuseAbuser Types

• Well-intentioned overstressed
• Well-intentioned incapable
• Self-centered lacks concern
• Abusive tries to control others
• Sadistic enjoys hurting others
• Based on findings by Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, Ph.D.

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Criteria for Cases

• Person is 60 or older
• Abuse occurs in domestic setting
• Allegations met definitions of abuse
• Abuse is by a third party

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Elder Abuse ProgramSelf-Determination

• Persons 60 over are adults
• State can intervene over objections only where
  person cant function
• 5 of persons over 60 have dementia
• Increases to 50 at age 85
• Increases vulnerability
• Limited mandatory reporting with immunity
  confidentiality. Anonymous accepted.

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Elder Abuse Program Services

• Services Provided
• -Intake
• -Comprehensive Assessment
• -Case Plan and Interventions
• -Follow-up Monitoring
• -M-Teams
• 8,000 reports per year
• 60 substantiated

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Court Petitions

• Elder abuse agencies in court most often on
  guardianship petitions. Often contested by
  abuser.
• May petition for access to conduct assessment
• May be involved with orders of protection,
  criminal prosecution, or civil suits to recover
  assets
  

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Elder Abuse Where it occurs

• Community settings
• - Private homes
• - Retirement settings
• Facilities
• - Nursing homes
• - Shelter care homes

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Elder Abuse Human Services State Agency
Responsibilities

• Department on Aging
• - Responds to all community settings
• - Most abusers family members
• - Ombudsman Program helps long term
  care facility residents with
  facility, family, etc.
• Department of Public Health
• - Licenses investigates complaints
  in all long term care facilities.
• - Abusers are paid caregivers

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Law Enforcement Responsibilities

• Illinois State Police
• - Do criminal investigations in all
  long term care facilities certified for
  Medicaid
• - Cooperate with local law
  enforcement the Dept. of Public Health
• Local law enforcement
• - Investigate criminal activity in
  community and in facilities

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Elder Abuse ProgramWorking with Law Enforcement

• Receive reports
• Refer cases 1-800-252-8966
• After hours 1-800 279-0400
• Share information
• Assist with access issuesL.E.
• Serve on M-Team
• Serve on Triad
• Conduct joint investigations

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