Elder Law

Participate in Elder Abuse Events in July

By Levin & Perconti

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Elder Abuse Month in Illinois. To raise awareness for the all too prevalent elder abuse issues, communities across the state will participate in events aimed at eliminating the abuse of our vulnerable seniors.

Erma Davis-Williams, the Program Director of Elder Services/Elder Abuse for the Centers for New Horizons called on all Illinoisans in The Chicago Tribune to take steps to raise awareness of the neglect faced by tens of thousands in the state each year. She explains how the US Administration on Aging estimates that 700,000 to 3.5 million seniors are abused in the country each year.

However, the widespread nature of elder abuse is never fully appreciated because only one in five instances of abuse is even reported. To help ensure that no older American is abused without someone stepping up to stop the neglect, Ms. Davis-Williams recommends everyone take simple stops to raise awareness of the issue. She recommends ten simple ideas to help this month, from volunteering a few hours in a nursing home and giving a caregiver a break to visiting an elderly loved one and sponsoring elder respect programs in local schools.

There are countless ways to contribute your time, thoughts, and skills to help make the life of a senior a little easier this month. Our elders remain the most vulnerable residents of our community. Our Chicago elder abuse attorneys at Levin & Perconti understand the perilous situation faced by elder residents in Illinois. We encourage all community members to remain extra vigilant to any elder abuse or neglect around them. Be sure to report any suspected abuse immediately, because even a short delay may be too late for a suffering senior citizen.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on June 30, 2010 (boomark / email).