IL Dept on Aging calls for attention & action against Elder Abuse

SPRINGFIELD - On the eve of tomorrow's World Elder Abuse Day, Illinois Department on Aging Director Charles D. Johnson is urging everyone to wear something purple.  The national observance is marked by wearing purple on June 15 as a way to show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched on June 15, 2006, at the United Nations Headquarters in New, York, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA.) 

"There are about two million people older than sixty in Illinois and, according to statistics, as many as five percent or 80,000 of them could currently be victims of elder abuse," said Director Johnson.  "Our seniors have the right to feel safe and secure.  Unfortunately, many seniors find themselves victims at the hands of the caregivers they have trusted.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  There is help.  Call the police or our 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at 866-800-1409."

Tomorrow's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day highlights the need to recognize the signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation.  The day also serves as a sneak peek to the State's month long campaign in July.  Each year, IDoA hosts the Break the Silence campaign as one of the ways to educate about elder abuse prevention. 

Part of the IDoA mission, as well as its network of service providers, is to increase public awareness of this plight against our most vulnerable elderly, and to encourage increased reporting of elder abuse.  For more
information, visit the IDoA website at www.state.il.us/aging/ and click the tab for Elder Abuse & Prevention.

For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, log on to the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse website at:  http://www.inpea.net/weaad.html.

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, call the IDoA Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 1-888-206-1327.