As the economy worsens, police and social service agencies are reporting increased cases of seniors being abused in a variety of ways.
To heighten awareness of this heinous treatment, the state of Illinois has designated the month of July as “Illinois Elder Abuse Awareness Month.” Illinois law protects older adults who are abused, neglected or exploited. Elder abuse happens when someone known to an older person age 60 or older mistreats the person, either physically, financially, psychologically or by neglect or confinement
The Illinois Department on Aging has designated the North Shore Senior Center as a local contact for those who wish to report elder abuse cases. In the Cook County north suburbs, people can call 847-784-6040 Monday through Friday 9-5, and everyone can call the State of Illinois 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-866-800-1409.
More information is available at www.nssc.org.
